# NTSB CHI96LA303: Cessna A188B, N21744, Watford City, ND, June 30, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1996, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Watford City, ND
- Coordinates: 47.79911, -103.269943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7991&lon=-103.2699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA303

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing on a road.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The automatic flagger jammed during an aerial application flight.  The pilot elected to land on a road approximately 1 mile from the field he was spraying so that he could fix the flagger.  The right main landing gear contacted a 'deep depression' on the shoulder of the road.  The right main gear separated from the airplane allowing the propeller and right wing to contact the ground.

## Factual narrative

On June 30, 1996, at 0845 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N21744, collided with a ditch while landing on a road during an aerial application operation in Watford City, North Dakota.  The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions existed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from the Watford City Municipal Airport at 0815 cdt.

The pilot reported that approximately one-half hour into the aerial application flight the automatic flagger jammed which  prevented him from continuing the application.  He elected to land on a road approximately 1 mile from the field he was spraying so that he could unjam the flagger.  During the landing, the right main landing gear contacted a "deep depression" in the shoulder of the road.  This resulted in the right main landing gear separating from the airplane.  The propeller and right wing contacted the ground and the airplane slid approximately 100 feet prior to coming to a stop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21744](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21744-1999-01-08), registration cancelled 1999-01-08, S/N 18800998T (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: 18800998T
- Airframe hours: 3547
- Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James L. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1996, 22 hours before
- Departed: S25

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,001 total, 560 in this make and model, 3,885 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19960630022499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960630022499A), Jun 30, 1996: Cessna A188B, Waterford City, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft flagger jammed in flight during aerial application. Attempted to land on road. Aircraft slid into a ditch. (-23) on June 30, 1996, at 0930 MDT, a…

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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