# NTSB FTW91DRG05: Cessna 188B, N85987, Driscoll, TX, July 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1991, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Driscoll, TX
- Coordinates: 27.670572, -97.749382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6706&lon=-97.7494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DRG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRG05

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE GUY WIRE DURING THE AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER.

## 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
  - object - guy wire
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER, THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE IMPACTED TELEPHONE GUY WIRES, DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED, AND IMPACTED AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET OR A SHOULDER HARNESS. NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE NOTED TO ANY OF THE AIRPLANE'S SYSTEMS BY THE FAA COORDINATOR DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85987](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85987-1992-01-06), registration cancelled 1992-01-06, S/N 18802002T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802002T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D-3 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Willis W. Stanley, doing business as Stanley Flying Service
- Registered owner: Willis W. Stanley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 07R, BISHOP, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command, 475 in the last 90 days, 180 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910728030289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910728030289A), Jul 28, 1991: Cessna A188B, Driscoll, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck telephone pole guy wires during ag operation. Impact severed six feet left wing. Rolled and crashed.

## Other investigations on N85987 (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 FTW75DRG64](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DRG64), Mar 28, 1975: Cessna 188 (N85987), Port Lavaca, 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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