# NTSB CHI96LA190: Cessna A188B, N9408R, Oskaloosa, KS, June 4, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1996, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Oskaloosa, KS
- Coordinates: 39.210548, -95.310539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2105&lon=-95.3105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 3, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA190

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain proper alignment with the roadway during the takeoff roll.  A factor relating to the accident was: the selection of an unsuitable area for takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll on a gravel country road, the airplane drifted left and struck a ditch.  The airplane then cartwheeled and flipped over in a field.

## Factual narrative

On June 4, 1996, at 0810 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna A188B, N9408R, piloted by a commercially certificated pilot, was destroyed during a collision with the terrain on takeoff roll.  The airplane was departing from a county road five miles north and one mile west of Oskaloosa, Kansas.  The pilot reported he received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan.

According to the pilot's written statement, during the takeoff roll from a gravel road, the airplane began to drift left and the left wing struck a ditch.  The airplane cartwheeled and flipped over in a farm field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9408R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9408R-1997-02-07), registration cancelled 1997-02-07, S/N 18802276T (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: 18802276T
- Airframe hours: 8550
- Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Harmon, Joseph C. Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1996, 24 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,257 total, 1,191 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOP, 19 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 19960604012969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960604012969A), Jun 4, 1996: Cessna A188B, Oskaloosa, KS, Destroyed. Veered off gravel road on takeoff. Struck a ditch. Cartwheeled and flipped over.

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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