# NTSB FTW00LA199: Cessna A188B, N731DW, Chase, LA, July 9, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 2000, 19:40 local (Jul 9, 2000, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Chase, LA
- Location: 32.0971° N, 91.6990° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chase, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0971&lon=-91.6990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA199

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the deer stand.  Factors were the chemical covering the windshield and the glare from the setting sun.

## 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
  - object - other
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - window,cabin - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

According to the operator, the pilot was applying chemical to a field, when the airplane impacted a 14-foot-tall deer stand. The pilot stated that the chemical being sprayed covered the airplane's windshield and the 'flight path was into setting sun.' The pilot further stated that he was distracted with the GPS flagging unit and was unaware of the deer stand positioned in his flight path.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 2000, at 1940 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B agricultural airplane, N731DW, was substantially damaged when it impacted a deer hunting stand during an aerial application flight near Chase, Louisiana.  The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the Goodman Flying Service Inc. of Chase, Louisiana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight.  The local flight originated from the operator's private airstrip at 1810.

According to the operator, the pilot was applying a chemical over a field, when the airplane impacted a 14-foot-tall deer stand. The pilot stated that the chemical being sprayed covered the airplane's windshield and the "flight path was into setting sun." The pilot further stated that he was distracted with the GPS flagging unit and was unaware of the deer stand positioned in his flight path.

The pilot stated that he "crash landed" in a cotton field approximately 1/4 mile from the deer stand.  The airplane came to rest upright.

The operator reported that the airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731DW-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 18802824T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802824T
- Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Goodman Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, GILBERT, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,300 total, 350 in this make and model, 375 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

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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