# NTSB DEN90LA150: Cessna T 188C, N2870J, Wray, CO, June 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1990, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Wray, CO
- Coordinates: 40.069683, -102.220382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0697&lon=-102.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA150

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT PROPER ALIGNMENT DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS LANDING AT HIS RANCH STRIP. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT WING CAUGHT IN A STANDING RYE CROP AND SKEWED THE PLANE TO THE LEFT, 90 DEGREES. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR AND TAILWHEEL WERE SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE FUSELAGE WAS BENT 45 DEGREES FROM JUST AFT OF THE PILOT'S STATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2870J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2870J-2007-10-25), registration cancelled 2007-10-25, S/N T18803545T, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T 188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18803545T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Gordon L. Thompson
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: NONE, runway 17, 2,640 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,309 total, 871 in this make and model, 4,122 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900628022799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900628022799A), Jun 28, 1990: Cessna T188C, Wray, CO, Substantial damage. Wing caught in rye crop on edge of ag strip rotating aircraft 180 degrees. Collapsed right main. Bent wing spars.

## Other investigations on N2870J (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 DEN07LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA135), Jul 20, 2007: Cessna T188C (N2870J), Colby, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off roll resulting in a ground loop.

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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