# NTSB CHI94LA291: Cessna 188, N133MC, Sublette, KS, August 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1994, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Sublette, KS
- Coordinates: 37.470489, -100.839965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4705&lon=-100.8400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA291

## Probable cause

improper preflight planning by the pilot. Factors associated with the accident were the delayed jettisoning of the airplane's hopper load and the inability of the airplane to climb.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - other
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOADED THE AIRPLANE WITH 900 POUNDS OF WHEAT SEED.  HE SAID THE TAKEOFF REQUIRED THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PASTURE RUNWAY TO GET AIRBORNE.  THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB AFTER GETTING AIRBORNE AND THE PILOT SAID THE LOAD WAS NOT JETTISONED FAST ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE AIRPLANE FROM COLLIDING WITH AN IRRIGATION SPRINKLER AND THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On August 19, 1994, at 0720 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 188, N133MC, registered to Max Birney Aerial Spraying Service, Incorporated of Sublette, Kansas, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with an irrigation  sprinkler and the ground shortly after takeoff.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  The flight departed a farm field 16 miles northwest of Sublette, Kansas, at 0720 cdt.

According to the pilot's statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the airplane was loaded with "...900 pounds of wheat seed...." The pilot said the airplane "took the entire length of the pasture runway to get airborne." He said the airplane was "... too heavy and would not gain altitude."  The load was not jettisoned in time and the airplane collided with an irrigation sprinkler and ground according to the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N133MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N133MC-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 18801914T, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- 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: 188019147
- Airframe hours: 5030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Max Birney Aerial Spraying Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1994, 250 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 800 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Observed at: GCK, 26 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 19940819022229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940819022229A), Aug 19, 1994: Cessna A188B, Sublette, KS, Substantial damage. Struck irrigation sprinkler on climbout from pasture strip. Load to heavy to climb. Load not jettisoned in time.

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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