# NTSB CHI96LA300: Cessna 188, N2081J, Walnut Grove, MN, August 16, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1996, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Walnut Grove, MN
- Coordinates: 44.220252, -95.460502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2203&lon=-95.4605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA300

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from the transmission wire.

## 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,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was spraying a field heading to the south.  As he went under a power line, the left wing tip hit a wire.  The pilot reported losing control of the aircraft and crashing in a field.

## Factual narrative

On August 16, 1996, at 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna 188, N2081J, operated by Miller Aerial Spraying, was substantially damaged when the airplane hit a wire and impacted the ground. The commercial pilot received serious injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 137 flight had departed Tracy Municipal Airport, Tracy, Minnesota, on a local flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that he was spraying a field heading to the south.  He reported that as he went under a power line, the left wing tip hit a wire.  The pilot reported losing control of the aircraft and crashing in a field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2081J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2081J-1997-06-26), registration cancelled 1997-06-26, S/N T18803371T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 188
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803371
- Airframe hours: 3061
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: William L. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1996, 68 hours before
- Departed: Y68, GARVIN, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 3,900 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWF, 25 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 19960816033219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960816033219A), Aug 16, 1996: Cessna T188C, Tracy, MN, Substantial damage. Struck power lines while flying under same during a spray run. (-23) 2081J, piloted by william l. miller crashed into a bean field after striking an electrical…

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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