# NTSB DEN89DTI03: Cessna T188C, N2165J, Red Lodge, MT, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 07:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Red Lodge, MT
- Location: 45.1933° N, 109.2501° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Red Lodge, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1933&lon=-109.2501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89DTI03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89DTI03

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.  RISING TERRAIN, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND TREES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2165J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2165J-1990-07-23), registration cancelled 1990-07-23, S/N T18803402T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803402T
- Airframe hours: 1642
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Visser, Michael P., doing business as Top Hand Airsprayers
- Registered owner: Michael P Visser
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1989, 144 hours before
- Departed: NONE, LAUREL, MT
- Destination: NONE, RED LODGE, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19890709020829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709020829A), Jul 9, 1989: Cessna T188C, Red Lodge, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a tree on rising terrain on a turn around from a spray run. Became inverted and crashed. Area narrow valley.

## Other investigations on N2165J (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 NYC81FHD34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FHD34), Aug 14, 1981: Cessna T188C (N2165J), Woodstown, NJ, substantial damage

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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