# NTSB CHI97LA254: Cessna A188B, N91919, Britton, SD, August 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 1997, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Britton, SD - Coordinates: 45.780567, -97.740905 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7806&lon=-97.7409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10667 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10667/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA254 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain during the spray run and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn after having contacted the terrain. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot became distracted by something in the cockpit as he descended down on a field while calibrating the spray equipment. The next thing the pilot remembers is the airplane hitting the terrain and vibrating. He then pulled the airplane back to an altitude of 200 feet above the ground and turned to fly to a nearby road. The pilot reported that the airplane descended rapidly and impacted the terrain again as he entered the turn. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 1997, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N91919, operated by Dakota Ag Services, Inc., collided with the terrain during an aerial application maneuver during a calibration flight in Britton, South Dakota. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Britton, South Dakota. The pilot reported took off with 140 gallons of water on board so that he could calibrate the spray equipment since the airplane had not been used for liquid application for awhile. When spraying the first field he noticed that the monitor inside the airplane which is used to show how much chemical is being dispensed was giving an erroneous reading. He also realized at this time that he had forgotten to fasten his restraints. He reported that en route to the second field he managed to get three of the four restraints hooked. Upon reaching the second field, he stated, he descended over the field and turned on the spray. He reported, "I am not certain what I was looking at inside the cockpit - if it was the monitor or the one remaining shoulder strap that wasn't fastened - but I remember feeling the airplane hit the ground and start to vibrate." He continued to report that he then pulled the airplane up to an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground and made a turn toward a road in case he had to land. He reported that immediately after entering the turn the airplane began to descend until it impacted the terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91919](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91919), registered now, S/N 18802053T (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: 18802053T - Airframe hours: 5150 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Dakota Ag Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1997, 100 hours before - Departed: BTN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 367 total, 38 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °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 19970811021659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970811021659A), Aug 11, 1997: Cessna A188B, Britton, SD, Substantial damage. Aircraft was involved in aerial application when it struck the ground, spun, and came to rest. (.4) the pilot became distracted by something in the cockpit as… ## Other investigations on N91919 (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 DEN82DA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA173), Aug 16, 1982: Cessna A188B (N91919), Britton, SD, substantial damage 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.