# NTSB FTW89DQG04: Cessna A188B, N4956Q, Vega, TX, June 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1989, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Vega, TX
- Coordinates: 35.150093, -102.220405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1501&lon=-102.2204&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 June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG04

## Probable cause

THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION (PROBABLE WHIRLWIND OR SEVERE WIND SHEAR) THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED MOMENTS AFTER LIFT-OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD OBSERVED ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS (WHIRLWINDS) IN THE AREA, BUT DUE TO THICK VEGETATION ON THE AIRPORT, HE WAS NOT AWARE THAT THESE CONDITIONS EXISTED FOR HIS TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED THIS ENVIRONMENT AT LOW AIRSPEED AT LIFTOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT & THE LEFT WING TIP HIT THE GROUND, THEN THE ACFT CARTWHEELED & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4956Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4956Q-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N 18802690T (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: 188026907
- Airframe hours: 1421
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ron J. Dewees
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: E52
- Airport: E52, Oldham County, runway 17, 4,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19890626017739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890626017739A), Jun 26, 1989: Cessna A188B, Vega, TX, Substantial damage. Saw dust devil in area but began takeoff. Lost control when severe gust hit and aircraft cartwheeled off runway.

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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