# NTSB CHI91DCJ06: Cessna A188D, N4820Q, Gothenburg, NE, August 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1991, 19:50 local (Aug 14, 1991, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Gothenburg, NE
- Coordinates: 40.920051, -100.160072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9201&lon=-100.1601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DCJ06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCJ06

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S ABRUPT HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft handling - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND AS IT COMPLETED A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AFTER AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN. WITNESSES DESCRIBED SEVERAL STEEP, 'AGGRESSIVE' TURNS, AND EXTREME NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDES DURING THE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THEY REPORTED THE PILOT WAS 'DOING HAMMERHEADS WHILE SPRAYING...' AND 'FLYING LIKE A STUNT PILOT.' GROUND FLAGMEN ASSISTING WITH THE AERIAL APPLICATION WERE IN RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH THE PILOT. THE PILOT TOLD THEM THE AIRPLANE STALLED DURING THE PREVIOUS TURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4820Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4820Q-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 18802557T, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188D
- 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: 18802557T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Fiese, Larry J, doing business as Gothenburg Fliying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,486 total, 253 in this make and model, 231 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBF, 28 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 19910813033939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910813033939A), Aug 13, 1991: Cessna A188B, Gothenburg, NE, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Collided with terrain while making a turn during aerial application.

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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