# NTSB CHI97LA192: Cessna A188B, N4485Q, Mcgregor, MN, June 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1997, 13:01 local (18:01 UTC) - Place: Mcgregor, MN - Coordinates: 46.599559, -93.299392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5996&lon=-93.2994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10617/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA192 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, his failure to abort the takeoff while sufficient runway was remaining, and/or his failure to jettison his load in order to achieve sufficient climb rate to clear trees. His lack of certification and training to perform agriculture operations was a related factor. ## 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 - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of certification, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that on the fourth flight of the day, the airplane did not accelerate (sufficiently) during takeoff. He said he did not have enough runway left to abort, so he lifted off into a shallow climb. The pilot did not perform an emergency hopper dump of the 1200 pounds of herbicide. The airplane struck trees on climb-out. An examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunction that would have resulted in a partial power loss. Investigation revealed that the pilot did not possess an Agricultural Operator Certificate in accordance with 14 CFR 137.11. Also, no documentation was found to show that the pilot had received training in aerial operations in accordance with 14 CFR 137.19(e). ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1997, at 1301 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna A188B, N4485Q, was substantially damaged following a partial loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing in a swamp shortly after takeoff from McGregor Airport, McGregor, Minnesota. The airline transport rated pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed McGregor Airport, McGregor, Minnesota, at 1300 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement, it was the fourth flight of the day and during takeoff the airplane did not accelerate. The takeoff was not aborted due to insufficient runway remaining. The pilot lifted off into a shallow climb to facilitate acceleration. The pilot said, "...aircraft performance was not adequate to clear trees on the end of the runway... ." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector represented the NTSB during the on-scene investigation. The Inspector's visual inspection did not reveal any mechanical problems that would have resulted in a partial power loss. The pilot did not perform an emergency hopper dump of the 1200 pounds of herbicide. During the course of the accident investigation, it was determined that the pilot did not possess an Agricultural Operator Certificate in accordance with 14 CFR 137.11 and that there was no documentation to show that he received training on aerial operations in accordance with 14 CFR 137.19(e). This was the pilot's second similar accident with in the last two weeks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4485Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4485Q-2000-02-22), registration cancelled 2000-02-22, S/N 18800885 (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: 18800885 - Airframe hours: 681 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Percy Wayne Harrell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1997 - Departed: I7Y - Airport: 17Y, Mc Gregor, runway 15, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 25,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 23,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AIT, 255 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 19970629019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970629019959A), Jun 29, 1997: Cessna A188B, Mcgregor, MN, Substantial damage. Performance inadequate to clear trees. Crashed into swamp. Pilot not part 137 certificated. Similar accident prior 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.