# NTSB DEN90LA125: Cessna 188A, N78516, Martin, SD, June 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1990, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Martin, SD
- Coordinates: 43.169727, -101.720405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1697&lon=-101.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA125

## Probable cause

THE ON-GROUND LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE OPTIMUM TAKEOFF FLAPS FOR THE RUNWAY CONDITIONS THAT EXISTED, AND THE SOFT WET RUNWAY SURFACE.

## 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
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - water
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A WET, MUDDY, 2600-FT LONG SOD RUNWAY (ELEVATION 3300FEET MSL) WITH FULL FUEL AND 70 GALLONS OF 2-4-D. THE AIRPLANE WAS COMPUTED TO BE BELOW ITS MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT. THE PILOT SELECTED 5 DEGREES FLAPS. OPTIMUM TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE IS ACHIEVED USING 20 DEGREES FLAPS. TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88 DEGREES AND THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM THE WEST-NORTHWEST AT 2-3 MPH. PERFORMANCE FIGURES INIDICATE THE AIRPLANE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKEOFF. THE PILOT TOLD AN FAA INSPECTOR THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF MOMENTARILY THEN SETTLED BACK TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT'S ACCIDENT REPORT SAID THE AIRPLANE DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE AND THIS DISCREPANCY COULD NOT BE RESOLVED. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WENT THROUGH A SMALL POND, STRUCK THE SHOULDER OF A ROAD, SLID ACROSS THE ROAD, AND CAME TO REST ON ITS NOSE IN A LARGE POND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78516](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78516-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 18801953T, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188A
- 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: 18801953T
- Airframe hours: 1390
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D23 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Paul R. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1990, 80 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MARTIN, SD
- Airport: 9V6, Old Martin Numicipal, runway 24, 2,400 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 25,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19900604021439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900604021439A), Jun 4, 1990: Cessna A188B, Martin, SD, Substantial damage. Tried to take off from soft unmowed grass strip near full load. Lifted,settled,hit water pond. Stopped nose down.

## Other investigations on N78516 (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 CHI93LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA314), Aug 7, 1993: Cessna 188 (N78516), Martin, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.

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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