# NTSB FTW86FPA23: Cessna A188B, N9737J, Malone, TX, June 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1986, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Malone, TX
- Coordinates: 31.910322, -96.890892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9103&lon=-96.8909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FPA23
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA23

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED BEFORE BEGINNING A SPRAYING OPERATION AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE FIELD TO ALERT A WORKMAN. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, A YOUNG BICYCLIST, THE ACFT WAS TURNING AROUND AND BEGAN 'FLOPPING' BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A HILL. THE FIELD WORKMAN DID NOT SEE THE TURN OR THE CRASH. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND LEFT WING FIRST AND THEN NOSED INTO A LOW EMBANKMENT. THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT WAS ABOUT 200 FT EAST OF THE COTTON FIELD TO BE SPRAYED AND THE FUSELAGE CAME TO REST 110 FT EAST OF THE IMPACT POINT FACING IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION. THE PATHOLOGICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL REPORT REVEALED NEGATIVE OR INSIGNIFICANT FINDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9737J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9737J-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 18803848T (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: 18003848T
- Airframe hours: 943
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: John Vickery, doing business as John Vickery Fertilizer Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1985, 95 hours before
- Departed: MALONE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,153 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19860623026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860623026419A), Jun 23, 1986: Cessna A188B, Malone, TX, Destroyed. Impacted the ground during a turn to start spraying the field. Cause for the ground impact is undetermined.

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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