# NTSB FTW91LA062: Cessna A188B, N4165J, Tipton, OK, April 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1991, 18:40 local (Apr 6, 1991, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Tipton, OK
- Coordinates: 34.499469, -99.129684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4995&lon=-99.1297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA062

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN POROPER CLEARANCE ABOVE OBSTACLES.  A FACTOR WAS THE SUN GLARE.

## 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)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - pole
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT BEGAN A WESTERLY SWATH RUN INTO THE SUN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND POWER LINE POLE. A SEVEN FOOT SECTION OF THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED AND CONTROL WAS LOST.  THE AIRPLANE SLID TO REST IN A FIELD ABOUT 180 YARDS FROM IMPACT. A SMALL ELECTRIAL FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4165J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4165J-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 18803723T, built 1980 (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: 18803723T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Abernathy/Horton Flying Serv.
- Registered owner: Abernathy/Horton Flying Serv.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,300 total, 5,245 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 19 °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 19910405009079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910405009079A), Apr 5, 1991: Cessna A188B, Tipton, OK, Substantial damage. Struck a tree and light pole on spray run turn around. Impact severed left wing. Airplane crashed. Blamed low sun.

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.
