# NTSB DEN89LA106: Cessna A188B, N731XG, Rapelje, MT, April 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1989, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Rapelje, MT
- Coordinates: 45.950962, -109.269813 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9510&lon=-109.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA106

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH A DITCH.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL AG PLT WAS OPERATING A SINGLE PLACE CESSNA 188 FROM A ROAD NEAR RAPELJE, MT. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WINDS FROM THE WEST AT 5 KTS, GUSTING TO 12 KTS. DURING A LANDING TO THE NORTH TO RELOAD WITH FERTILIZER, A GUST OF WIND STRUCK THE ACFT AND THE PLT SAID HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE ROAD TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK A DITCH, DAMAGING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731XG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N731XG), registered now, S/N 18803233T, built 1978 (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-550-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-d) (registry code 17210, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18803233T
- Airframe hours: 2469
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Yellowstone Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1988, 135 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 14,400 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 14,335 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890410007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890410007439A), Apr 10, 1989: Cessna 188B, Rapeljt, MT, Substantial damage. Wind gust caused aircraft to veer off roadway on landing. Stopped in a ditch.

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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