# NTSB DEN87LA021: Cessna A188B, N4862Q, Rock Springs, MT, November 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1986, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Rock Springs, MT
- Coordinates: 46.999206, -106.209045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9992&lon=-106.2090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA021

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF GROUND RUN IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, IMPACTED A DIRT BANK, GROUND LOOPED AND NOSED DOWN. DURING THE GROUND LOOP THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, DAMAGING THE MAIN SPAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, other
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (cause)
- Nose down, other
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4862Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4862Q-1996-07-05), registration cancelled 1996-07-05, S/N 18802598T (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: 18802598T
- Airframe hours: 1911
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D23 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Harris Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1986, 159 hours before
- Airport: runway 31, 5,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,143 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 2,975 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLS, 43 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 19861124068569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861124068569A), Nov 24, 1986: Cessna A188B, Rock Springs, MT, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered into a berm on abort from a farm strip. The pilot reported gusting crosswinds.

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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