# NTSB CHI91DEV01: Cessna A188B, Bluffs, IL, May 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: May 30, 1991, 17:00 UTC, 12:00 local
- Place: Bluffs, IL
- Coordinates: 39.750812, -90.530296 (estimated)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, September 28, 1992
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEV01
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEV01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Analysis

THE PILOT COMMENCED HIS FOURTH TAKEOFF AT THE ACCIDENT LOCATION FOR AERIAL APPLICATION OF HERBICIDE.  THE RUNWAY CONSISTED OF A CROWNED BLACKTOP ROAD, 25 FEET WIDE, FLANKED ON EITHER SIDE BY A DITCH 4 FEET DEEP.  THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE VEERED RIGHT AT 2 TO 3 FEET ABOVE GROUND AFTER LIFTOFF, THEN ROLLED TO INVERTED.  GROUND SCARS OF THE RIGHT WINGTIP START AT THE ROAD EDGE AND ARE FOLLOWED BY MARKS OF THE MAIN GEAR AND PROP IN THE DITCH.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN A FIELD BEYOND.  THE PILOT REPORTED NO MALFUNCTION, AND NONE WAS DISCOVERED.

## Sequence of events

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - roadway/highway
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4887Q, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4887Q-1997-09-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: Cessna A188B (registry code 2073005, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802623T
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-520-D23 285 horsepower
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: BOB DAVIS FLYING SERVICE, INC.
- Airport: NONE, SEE NARRATIVE, runway 0
- FAA reports: 19910530018339A (https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910530018339A) (OpenAirDocs)

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical class 2; hours: 5 24 hours, 5 24 hours in this make and model, 30 30 days, 23 30 days in this make and model, 65 90 days, 45 90 days in this make and model, 4,700 pic, 3,700 pic in this make and model, 4,500 total, 3,700 total in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 16 knots
- Visibility (statute miles): 12
- Lowest ceiling (ft AGL): 25000
- Temperature (°F): 82.4

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

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.