# NTSB FTW87DRD09: Cessna T188C, N3239J, Rayville, LA, July 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1987, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Rayville, LA
- Coordinates: 32.469852, -91.749305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4699&lon=-91.7493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRD09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRD09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD TO TAKE OFF EASTBOUND DUE TO OBSTRUCTIONS AT THE WEST END OF THE STRIP. THE SIX TO EIGHT KNOT WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM A RIGHT CROSSWIND TO A SLIGHT TAILWIND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT'S WEIGHT EXCEEDED THAT ESTABLISHED BY THE MANUFACTURER. LIFTOFF WAS ACHIEVED BUT THE AIRCRAFT STARTED SETTLING AS SOON AS IT CLIMBED OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE DESCENT WAS ARRESTED BUT CLIMB COULD NOT BE RE-ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED HIGH VEGETATION BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. TOUCHDOWN WAS ON ROUGH TERRAIN. A COMBINATION OF HIGH VEGETATION AND ROUGH TERRAIN CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE DOWN BEFORE IT STOPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3239J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3239J-1992-05-19), registration cancelled 1992-05-19, S/N T18803620T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803620T
- Airframe hours: 1630
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO520T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Scs Flying Service
- Registered owner: Thomason Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1987, 100 hours before
- Airport: Brown'S Strip, runway 9, 2,300 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,921 total, 1,258 in this make and model, 2,921 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870702032129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870702032129A), Jul 2, 1987: Cessna T188C, Rayville, LA, Substantial damage. The aircraft failed to climb after takeoff and struck tall weeds. Maximum gross weight exceeded.

## Other investigations on N3239J (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 ATL83LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA112), Feb 19, 1983: Cessna T188C (N3239J), Puckett, MS, substantial damage

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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