# NTSB FTW88DRD03: Cessna 188, N78392, Winnsboro, LA, May 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1988, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Winnsboro, LA
- Location: 32.1647° N, 91.7206° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Winnsboro, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1647&lon=-91.7206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS WITH BETWEEN 20 TO 40 GALLONS OF WATER IN THE SPRAY TANKS. A WITNESS INDICATED THAT 'AS THE AIRPLANE STARTED DOWN FOR THE PASS IT CLEARLY WENT INTO A FLAT SPIN IN WHICH IT MADE ALMOST 2 FULL REVOLUTIONS BEFORE IT HIT THE GROUND AT WHAT LOOKED TO BE APPROX 45 DEGREE ANGLE.' BLOOD SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE PILOT SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT INDICATED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .166 PERCENT AND URINE ALCOHOL OF 0.20 PERCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78392](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78392-1991-02-07), registration cancelled 1991-02-07, S/N 18801951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801951
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilmore Farms
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 35 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 19880515044889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880515044889A), May 15, 1988: Cessna 188CESSNA, Winnsboro, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Appears aircraft stalled and spun in while practicing a spray operation. Pilot blood alcohol indicates intoxication

## Other investigations on N78392 (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 FTW78DRA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRA26), Jun 6, 1978: Cessna A188B (N78392), El Campo, TX, 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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