# NTSB DEN87DTE04: Cessna A188B, N731GG, Stonington, CO, August 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1987, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Stonington, CO
- Location: 37.2936° N, 102.1874° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stonington, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2936&lon=-102.1874&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87DTE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87DTE04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT AND LANDED ON A ROAD TO VISIT WITH A CUSTOMER. HE SAID THAT THE LEFT MLG TIRE BLEW OUT DURING LANDING AND THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED. THE LEFT MLG COLLAPSED DURING THE GROUND LOOP AND BOTH WINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT SAID THE 'LEFT MAIN TIRE EVIDENTLY IMPACTED WITH AN OBSTRUCTION WHILE SPRAYING.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731GG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731GG-2004-08-18), registration cancelled 2004-08-18, S/N 18802880T, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802880T
- Airframe hours: 3050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bill Witten, doing business as Witten Flying Service
- Registered owner: Bill Witten
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1987, 250 hours before
- Departed: 17K, BOISE CITY, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,774 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,658 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870825050379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870825050379A), Aug 25, 1987: Cessna A188B, Stonington, CO, Substantial damage. The tire of the agricultural spray aircraft failed. The aircraft ground looped while landing on a road.

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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