# NTSB CHI83LA008: Cessna T188C, N2892J, Sparta, MI, October 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1982, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, MI
- Location: 43.1567° N, 85.7110° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sparta, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1567&lon=-85.7110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA008

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED A NORMAL CLIMB OUT, BUT AS THE ACFT CLEARED TREES THE PLT BEGAN JETTISONING THE LOAD. THE PLT STATED THAT ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 6 THE ACFT SEEMED TO MUSH & THEN DESCEND INTO THE TREES. THE WIND AT GRAND RAPIDS, 20 MI SOUTH, WAS 170/06. THE PLT WAS OPERATING HIS OWN ACFT TO SPRAY HIS OWN ORCHARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2892J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2892J-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N T18803567T, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3567T
- Airframe hours: 133
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Edward Pitsh
- Registered owner: Edward Pitsh
- Departed: 8D4, SPARTA, MI
- Destination: 8D4, SPARTA, MI
- Airport: 8D4, Sparta, runway 6

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,110 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 171 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821005051559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821005051559A), Oct 5, 1982: Cessna T188C, Sparta, MI, Substantial damage. Witnesses stated aircraft took off and just cleared trees then just settled or mushed into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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