# NTSB CHI90DCJ01: Cessna A188B, N84524, Amherst, NE, August 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1990, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Amherst, NE
- Coordinates: 40.830509, -99.260681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8305&lon=-99.2607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DCJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DCJ01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID POWER LINES IN HIS AREA OF OPERATION.

## 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,static
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AN AIRPLANE ENGAGED IN AERIAL APPLICATION STRUCK A POWER LINE GUY WIRE SUSPENDED ABOUT 45 FEET ABOVE GROUND, SEPARATING THE LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84524](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84524-1991-08-16), registration cancelled 1991-08-16, S/N 18801993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801993
- Airframe hours: 2575
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D-23 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: G & L Air Services, Inc., doing business as Buffalo Air Service
- Registered owner: Platte Valley Air Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1990, 284 hours before
- Departed: EAR, KEARNEY, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,300 total, 150 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAR, 12 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 19900802029529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900802029529A), Aug 2, 1990: Cessna A188B, Amherst, NE, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Wing struck a power pole guy wire during a spraying operation. Ground impact killed the pilot.

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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