# NTSB FTW04LA162: Cessna 188B, N21650, Rush Springs, OK, June 15, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 2004, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Rush Springs, OK - Coordinates: 34.769348, -97.95034 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7693&lon=-97.9503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59450/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA162 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a utility pole and power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application. ## 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 - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - utility pole ## Analysis While maneuvering during an aerial application flight, the airplane impacted two power lines. The 4,180-hour commercial pilot departed the grass airstrip with 65 gallons of water and grazon (chemical) on board. He entered the field from the south to spray on the west side of the field, and over trees. He descended into the field, and immediately impacted a utility pole and two power lines that were aligned east and west. The airplane was able to continue to fly to the airstrip and land. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2004, approximately 1430 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B single-engine agricultural airplane, N21650, was substantially damaged after colliding with a utility pole and power lines while maneuvering near Rush Springs, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip, near Rush Springs, Oklahoma, at an unknown time. The 4,180-hour pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that he departed the grass airstrip with 65 gallons of water and grazon (chemical) on board. He entered the field from the south to spray on the west side of the field, and over trees. He descended into the field and immediately impacted a utility pole and two power lines that were aligned east and west. The airplane was able to continue to fly to the private airstrip and land. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the empennage of the airplane was twisted. A utility pole was broken and laying in a field near the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21650](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21650-2007-07-23), registration cancelled 2007-07-23, S/N 18800933, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188B - 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: 18800933 - Airframe hours: 4897 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Gene Townsen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2004, 78.9 hours before - Departed: Rush Springs, OK - Airport: Rush Springs Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 1, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 4,180 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,984 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg ## 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 20040615017779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040615017779A), Jun 15, 2004: Cessna A188B, Rush Springs, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot entered field from the north, headed due south. He crossed over the east/west tree line on the north edge of the field and descended rapidly to… 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.