# NTSB FTW89DQA04: Cessna A188B, N731FR, Dell City, TX, May 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1989, 06:28 local (12:28 UTC)
- Place: Dell City, TX
- Coordinates: 31.930175, -105.199058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9302&lon=-105.1991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQA04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND/OR AVOID THE POWERLINES. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE EARLY MORNING SUNGLARE.

## 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
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A 60 DEGREE RIGHT BANK. SUNRISE OCCURRED AT 0604.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731FR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731FR-2004-03-09), registration cancelled 2004-03-09, S/N 18802866T, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- 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: 18802866T
- Airframe hours: 2469
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Dell Valley Spraying
- Registered owner: Bell Valley Spraying, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1989, 140 hours before
- Departed: 2E5, DELL CITY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,813 total, 1,223 in this make and model, 1,713 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

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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