# NTSB DEN89DTG01: Cessna 188A, N188TV, Valley City, ND, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Valley City, ND
- Coordinates: 46.919296, -97.99945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9193&lon=-97.9994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89DTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89DTG01

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT.  THE POWER LINE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES OF A LARGE POWER LINE AT THE COMPLETION OF A SWATH RUN.  THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 35 FT AGL.  AFTER THE COLLISION, THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED & IMPACTED THE GND ABOUT 270 FT BEYOND THE POWER LINE.  THE PLT'S PREV APPLICATION FOR A MED CERT HAD BEEN DENIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N188TV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N188TV-1991-09-12), registration cancelled 1991-09-12, S/N 18800687 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188A
- Registry model: [Cessna A188A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188a) (registry code 2073008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18800687
- Airframe hours: 3283
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Otterson, Robert S., doing business as Bob Otterson Spraying Service
- Registered owner: Husky Spray Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1989, 89 hours before
- Departed: VALLEY CITY, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JMS, 27 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 19890806027229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806027229A), Aug 6, 1989: Cessna A188A, Valley City, ND, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a powerline and crashed inverted. Pilots license had been suspened and his medical was denied.

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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