# NTSB CHI98LA238: Cessna A188B, N5829G, Strandquist, MN, July 4, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1998, 13:57 local (18:57 UTC)
- Place: Strandquist, MN
- Coordinates: 48.490661, -96.440292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4907&lon=-96.4403&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 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA238

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maneuver to avoid obstructions.  A factor was the trees.

## 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 - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot said that he was on his third swath run dispensing chemicals when he allowed the left wing of the airplane to contact trees.  This was followed by loss of control and impact with the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1998, at 1357 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N5829G, sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and the terrain at the end of a swath run, seven and one-quarter miles west of Strandquist, Minnesota.  The commercial pilot received serious injuries.  The aerial application 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The local flight departed Crookston, Minnesota, about 1330.

The pilot, in his written statement, said that after making three swath runs he was pulling up on the last one when the left wing "clipped" a tree.  He wrote in comments about how the accident might have been prevented, "Don't hit the trees."

A post accident examination of the accident airplane failed to reveal any pre-accident anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5829G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5829G-2001-08-21), registration cancelled 2001-08-21, S/N 18801149T (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: 18801149T
- Airframe hours: 5185
- Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Daniel C. Geist
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1998, 155 hours before
- Departed: CKN, CROOKSTON, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 487 total, 155 in this make and model, 386 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 129 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFK, 40 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 19980704030279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980704030279A), Jul 4, 1998: Cessna A188B, Strandquist, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was observed by witnesses to strike trees during pull up at end of south to north spray runs. After striking trees, aircraft entered left turn…

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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