# NTSB DEN05LA075: Cessna T188C, N666DB, Fowler, CO, May 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 2005, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Fowler, CO - Coordinates: 38.12038, -104.020957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1204&lon=-104.0210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61511/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA075 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance, resulting in an in-flight collision with transmission lines. ## 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 - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot said he saw something move inside the cockpit after he had completed a spray run. He glanced down but didn't see anything. He returned his scan to the surroundings and noticed transmission lines level with the aircraft. He pitched the nose up to avoid a collision but encountered a downdraft and was forced into the lines, severing three of them and knocking down a utility pole. The pilot was able to fly the airplane back to the airport and land without incident. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2005, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C , N666DB, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck wires while maneuvering near Fowler, CO, Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local aerial application flight was being conducted without a flight plan under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated Fowler, CO, approximately 0930. The pilot said that the accident flight was the second flight of the day. After completion of a spray run he "saw something move inside the cockpit." He glanced down, and when he returned his scan to the surroundings, he noticed transmission lines level with his aircraft. He pitched the airplane's nose up to gain altitude, and encountered a downdraft. The aircraft struck and severed three transmission wires. A utility pole was also knocked down. The aircraft was able to remain airborne and could see damage to his left wing from the cockpit. The pilot flew the airplane back to the airport and performed a wheel landing, touching down at 105 mph. He allowed the airplane to roll out the length of the runway to dissipate speed. The pilot said the outboard portion of the left wing was sheared from the leading edge to the outboard spar, and the vertical stabilizer was sheared from the leading edge to the main spar. The pilot reported wind, 130 degrees at two knots; no turbulence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N666DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N666DB-2024-10-17), registration cancelled 2024-10-17, S/N T18803351T, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803351T - Airframe hours: 4226 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520R(9B) 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Emil S Rogge - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 54 hours before - Departed: C080, Fowler, CO - Destination: Fowler, CO - Airport: C080, Fowler Airfield ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2004; seat: single; flight hours: 4,985 total, 406 in this make and model, 4,574 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg ## 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 20050514007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050514007869A), May 14, 2005: Cessna T188C, Fowler, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) While crop dusting over power lines, pilot stated he was caught in an updraft and struck a power lines. 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.