# NTSB DFW07CA174: Cessna A188B, N9298R, Garwood, TX, July 30, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2007, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Garwood, TX - Coordinates: 30.5375, -96.524169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5375&lon=-96.5242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 66333 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66333/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from terrain/obstacles. A contributing factor was the runway conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - not maintained (contributing factor) - wing - clearance (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - object - fence post - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The 1,457-hour commercial pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane while attempting to depart from a 2,400-foot long unimproved private grass airstrip. The pilot reported that while departing on a southerly heading he was "dodging pot holes and mud holes" on the airstrip. The spray booms under the wings became entangled with tall grass resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane exited the right side of the airstrip, the right wing collided with a fence post and the airplane "ran through a ditch." An FAA inspector interviewed the pilot, who confirmed the accident sequence. The inspector recorded structural damage. On the Airport Information block of the accident report form, the pilot categorized the runway as "dirt" and further described the condition of the runway as "holes," "rough," "soft," and "wet." At about 5 minutes after the mishap, the nearest weather reporting station, located 27-nautical miles to the south-east of the accident site, reported winds calm, visibility 5 statue miles with mist, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure of 29.93 inches of Mercury. The density altitude was calculated at 1,776 feet. ## Factual narrative The 1,457-hour commercial pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane while attempting to depart from a 2,400-foot long unimproved private grass airstrip. The pilot reported that while departing on a southerly heading he was "dodging pot holes and mud holes" on the airstrip. The spray booms under the wings became entangled with tall grass resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane exited the right side of the airstrip, the right wing collided with a fence post and the airplane "ran through a ditch." An FAA inspector interviewed the pilot, who confirmed the accident sequence. The inspector recorded structural damage. On the Airport Information block of the accident report form, the pilot categorized the runway as "dirt" and further described the condition of the runway as "holes," "rough," "soft," and "wet." At about 5 minutes after the mishap, the nearest weather reporting station, located 27-nautical miles to the south-east of the accident site, reported winds calm, visibility 5 statue miles with mist, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure of 29.93 inches of Mercury. The density altitude was calculated at 1,776 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9298R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9298R-2017-02-17), registration cancelled 2017-02-17, S/N 18802224T, built 1975 (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-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18802224T - Airframe hours: 4557.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Brian Johnson - Registered owner: Michael L. Thompson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2007 - Departed: Garwood, TX - Destination: Garwood, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 1,457 total, 348 in this make and model, 1,349 as pilot in command, 348 in the last 90 days, 348 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: ARM, 27 nm away 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.