# NTSB CHI97LA228: Cessna 188B, N4864Q, Halstead, KS, July 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 1997, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Halstead, KS - Coordinates: 37.99921, -97.500488 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9992&lon=-97.5005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10644/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA228 ## Probable cause the pilot failed to maintain adequate clearance from the transmission wires. Factors included the malfunctioning of the wire cutter and pilot fatigue. ## 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 - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - fatigue(flight and ground schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor) - miscellaneous,airframe - malfunction (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was making a fourth pass on a field during aerial application when he 'failed to initiate a pull-up in time to clear the powerline.' The right main landing gear struck a wire. The wire cutter located on the right landing gear did not sever the wire. The wire broke in two from the force of the impact with the airplane. The wire on the right side of the airplane broke about 30 feet from the airplane. The wire went underneath the empenage and wrapped itself around the left elevator. The left elevator and horizontal stabilizer were being cut in two until the wire on the left side of the aircraft broke. A 75 foot section of wire trailed the airplane as the pilot continued flying. By applying about 40 pounds of forward stick pressure and not dumping the chemical load, he was able to land at Newton, Kansas. The pilot reported that he was fatigued as a result of working approximately 18 hour days the week prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 1997, at 1145 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N4864Q, operated by Blue Sky Airspray, sustained substantial damage while spraying a field when it hit a powerline. The airline transport pilot was able to maintain control of the aircraft and returned to Newton, Kansas, where he landed the airplane. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial sprayer had departed Newton, Kansas, on a local aerial application flight. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was making a fourth pass on a field during aerial application and "failed to initiate a pull-up in time to clear the powerline." The right main landing gear struck a wire. The pilot reported that the wire cutter located on the right landing gear did not sever the wire. As the airplane continued forward, the wire broke in two from the force of the impact with the airplane. The wire on the right side of the airplane broke about 30 feet from the airplane. The wire went underneath the empenage and wrapped itself around the left elevator. The left elevator and horizontal stabilizer were being cut in two until the wire on the left side of the aircraft broke. A 75 foot section of wire trailed the airplane as the pilot continued flying. By applying about 40 pounds of forward stick pressure and not dumping the chemical load, he was able to land at Newton, Kansas. The pilot reported that he was fatigued as a result of working approximately 18 hour days the week prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4864Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4864Q-2005-03-30), registration cancelled 2005-03-30, S/N 18802600T, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188B - 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: 18802600T - Airframe hours: 5641 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Blue Sky Airspray - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1997, 160 hours before - Departed: TNU, NEWTON, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19970728019899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970728019899A), Jul 28, 1997: Cessna 188B, Halstead, KS, Substantial damage. Narrative: on July 28, 1997, at 1145 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N4864Q, operated by blue sky airspray, sustained substantial damage while spraying a… ## Other investigations on N4864Q (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI93DCQ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DCQ02), Aug 1, 1993: Cessna 188 (N4864Q), Buhler, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power due to a fractured accessory (camshaft) drive gear. 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.