# NTSB FTW89DRG07: Cessna A188B, N731ST, La Coste, TX, May 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1989, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: La Coste, TX
- Coordinates: 29.300031, -98.810035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3000&lon=-98.8100&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 August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRG07

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT AT DEPARTURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE RESTRICTED CATEGORY AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT WAS DEPARTING FROM A DIRT RUNWAY AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHEN THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED INTO A CORN FIELD AFTER REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF TEN FEET. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED, BUT THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND SPILLED THE LOAD OF ETHYL PARATHION, A TOXIC LIQUID CHEMICAL. THERE WAS NO MECHNICAL FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT FOUND DURING THE ON SITE INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731ST-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 18803125T, built 1978 (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: 18803125T
- Airframe hours: 4611
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Charles A. Torkelson, doing business as Torkelson Flying Service
- Registered owner: Torkelson, Charles A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1989, 130 hours before
- Departed: NONE, LA COSTE, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,700 total, 450 in this make and model, 7,580 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HDO, 20 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 19890520012159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890520012159A), May 20, 1989: Cessna A188B, La Coste, TX, Substantial damage. Settled into cornfield after takeoff. Short strip high temperature and full load are factors.

## Other investigations on N731ST (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 CEN11CA438](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA438), Jun 24, 2011: Cessna A188 (N731ST), Castroville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the agricultural spraying flight.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.