# NTSB DEN07LA135: Cessna T188C, N2870J, Colby, KS, July 20, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 2007, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Colby, KS - Coordinates: 39.417499, -101.034446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4175&lon=-101.0344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 66415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66415/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA135 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off roll resulting in a ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - aborted - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel - hydraulic system,fitting - cross/stripped threaded - hydraulic system,line - leak - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot was departing from runway 17 with a crosswind from the east. He stated that during the departure roll, the airplane veered into the wind. He attempted to correct with rudder; however, the rudder correction was inadequate. When he applied brakes, the brakes were unresponsive and the airplane ground looped, resulting in substantial damage. According to the pilot, he had not had any problems with the brakes prior to the takeoff roll. Winds at the time of the accident were recorded as 120 degrees at 8 knots. Examination of the brakes revealed the AN #3 fitting was cross threaded and metal contamination was found in the brake hose, preventing a seal, and resulting in a leak of brake fluid. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 2007, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N2870J, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll at Shalz Field Airport (CBK), Colby, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form submitted by the pilot, he was departing from runway 17 (5,109 feet by 75 feet, concrete) with a crosswind from the east. The pilot stated that during the departure roll, the airplane veered into the wind. He attempted to correct with rudder; however, the rudder correction was inadequate. The pilot stated that when he applied brakes, the brakes were unresponsive and the airplane ground looped. According to the pilot, he had not had any problems with the brakes prior to the takeoff roll. The right wing spar was bent up and forward and the right main landing gear separated. Winds at the time of the accident were recorded as 120 degrees at 8 knots. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, a piece of metal was found in the brake line. The brake line, brake caliper, and brake master cylinder were retained for further examination. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. According to the FAA, the source of the metal found in the brake line was determined to be the #3 AN fitting at the top of the brake hose. The AN fitting was cross threaded and the threads on the AN fitting were galled and several were missing. According to the FAA, this prevented a seal between the fitting and the hose, resulting in a brake fluid leak. Examination of the brake caliper and brake master cylinder revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2870J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2870J-2007-10-25), registration cancelled 2007-10-25, S/N T18803545T, built 1979 (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: T18803545T - Airframe hours: 4495 - Engines: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2006 - Departed: CBK, Colby, KS - Destination: CBK, Colby, KS - Airport: CBK, Shalz Field Airport, runway 17, 5,109 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 6,388 total, 4,874 in this make and model, 6,340 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: GLD, 30 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 20070720018459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070720018459A), Jul 20, 2007: Cessna T188C, Colby, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) While taking off on runway 17 Colby (kcbk) to the south, with a crosswind from the east the aircraft started to weather vane. The pilot tried to correct… ## Other investigations on N2870J (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 DEN90LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA150), Jun 28, 1990: Cessna T 188C (N2870J), Wray, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT PROPER ALIGNMENT DURING LANDING. 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.