# NTSB DEN83LA137: Cessna A188B, N4812Q, Saco, MT, June 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1983, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Saco, MT
- Coordinates: 48.58044, -107.41957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5804&lon=-107.4196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA137

## 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 - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TELEPHONE LINES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION RUN. THE PILOT'S SON REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS PULLING UP AT THE END OF A SPRAY RUN WHEN THE WIRES WERE HIT. MOST OF THE WIRES IN THIS AREA ARE UNDERGROUND HOWEVER THEWIRES AT THE END OF THIS FIELD WERE ON POLES. THE WIRES THAT WERE STRUCK WERE ABOUT 20 FT AGL AND CONSISTED OF 4 ARMORED CABLES. THESE ARE VERY STRONG CABLES AND DID NOT BREAK BUT SEVERAL OF THE POLES WERE SNAPPED OFF. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AFTER THE WIRE STRIKE AND TURNED 165 DEGREES. THE PILOT CRAWLED OUT OF THE WRECKAGE AND WAS FOUND 1/2 HR LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4812Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4812Q-2001-09-04), registration cancelled 2001-09-04, S/N 18802550T (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: 18802550T
- Airframe hours: 1107
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Russaero Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 2, 1983, 54 hours before
- Departed: MLK, MALTA, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,100 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GGW, 33 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 19830610024899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830610024899A), Jun 10, 1983: Cessna A188B, Saco, MT, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed after hitting telephone lines during aerial application operation.

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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