# NTSB CHI85LA191: Cessna A188B, N731VR, Virden, IL, May 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1985, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Virden, IL
- Coordinates: 39.500099, -89.760932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5001&lon=-89.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA191

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

DURING AERIAL APPLICATION, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO PASS OVER A SET OF LOW WIRES AND UNDER HIGH TENSION LINES. THE WIRES ARE 300 FT. APART HORIZONTALLY. THE PROP CONTACTED THE HIGH TENSION LINES AND THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED ON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731VR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731VR-2005-03-17), registration cancelled 2005-03-17, S/N 18803194T, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18803192T
- Airframe hours: 21516
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bob Davis Flying Service,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 21, 1985, 686 hours before
- Departed: VIRDEN, IL
- Destination: VIRDEN, IL
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 25,723 total, 22,069 in this make and model, 24,988 as pilot in command, 965 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPI, 16 nm away

## 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 19850508016029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850508016029A), May 8, 1985: Cessna A188B, Virden, IL, Destroyed. During swath run pilot struck powerline as he attempted to go over some lines and under other. Impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N731VR (2)

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.

- [NTSB ATL99LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA106), Jul 13, 1999: Cessna A188B (N731VR), Panther Burn, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance that resulted in the in-flight collision with trees. A factor was his diverted attention following the failure of the DGPS.
- [NTSB MIA97LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA228), Aug 5, 1997: Cessna A188B (N731VR), Cadaretta, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: a hard landing resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting with a tree.

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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