# NTSB FTW87FA151: Cessna A188B, N731XQ, New Taiton, TX, June 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1987, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: New Taiton, TX
- Coordinates: 29.189437, -96.269134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1894&lon=-96.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA151

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - initiated
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - separation (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - corroded (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS OBSERVED DEPARTING ON RWY 35 OF A 4,250' PVT AG STRIP AFTER HAVING BEEN LOADED TO NEAR CAPACITY WITH 46% NITROGEN FERTILIZER. ACFT LIFTED OFF, CROSSED A FENCE PARALLEL TO THE RWY AND STRUCK A FENCE THAT WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE NORTH END OF THE RWY. AFTER STRIKING THE FENCE, ACFT SETTLED TO THE GRND IN AN ADJACENT PASTURE. THE ACFT'S RT WING STRUCK AND RODE UP OVER A LAND PLANE. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A SERIES OF RICE HARROWS THAT WERE SUPPORTED BY A BARREL, FLIPPED OVER AND SLID TO A STOP INVERTED. PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. HIS SHOULDER HARNESS SUPPORT MOUNT SEPARATED AND EXHIBITED EXTENSIVE CORROSION. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT CORROSION HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY TREATED. DATA INDICATED THAT THE ACFT DEPARTED WITH A 11 KNOT TAIL WIND ON GRASS STRIP WHICH INCREASED THE T/O ROLL BY 65% OR APPROX 1,000 TO 2,235'. PLT INITIATED DUMPING AFTER LIFT OFF AT MID-FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731XQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731XQ-1989-01-30), registration cancelled 1989-01-30, S/N 18803241T (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: 18803241T
- Airframe hours: 2953
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: El Campo Metro Airport
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1987, 175 hours before
- Departed: NONE, NEW TAITON, TX
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 35, 4,250 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,868 total, 3,148 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCT, 50 nm away

## 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 19870617020719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870617020719A), Jun 17, 1987: Cessna A188B, New Taiton, TX, Substantial damage. Density altitude problem. Began singing after takeoff began dumping load. Settled to ground hitting farm machinery.

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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