# NTSB FTW93LA159: Cessna A188A, N9901G, Decatur, TX, May 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1993, 11:42 local (16:42 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, TX
- Coordinates: 33.230087, -97.589828 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2301&lon=-97.5898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA159

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.  A FACTOR WAS THE TURBULENCE

## 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 - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING SEVERAL PASSES DISPENSING HERBICIDE, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A TREE AT ONE END OF THE FIELD.  BECAUSE HE WAS FLYING UNDER POWER LINES, HE WAS UNABLE TO PULL UP OVER THE TREE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB SLIGHTLY AND BANKED RIGHT TO GET THE LEFT WING OVER THE TREE. HE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE INITIALLY BANKED TO THE RIGHT, BUT THEN LEVELED WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE.  THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TREE AND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND

## Factual narrative

On Saturday, May 15, 1993, at approximately 1142 central daylight time, a Cessna A188A, N9901G, was destroyed when it collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering near Decatur, Texas.  The airplane, operated by Aerial Spraying, and flown by an ATP rated pilot, was on a 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

The pilot stated that after making several passes dispensing herbicide on range land, he encountered a tree at one end of the field.  Because he was flying under power lines, the pilot was unable to pull up over the tree.  He stated that he attempted to climb slightly and bank to the right to get the left wing over the tree.  He further stated that the airplane initially entered the right bank, but that turbulence caused the wings to level and the left one struck the tree.  The pilot lost control and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9901G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9901G-2003-09-03), registration cancelled 2003-09-03, S/N 18800701, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188A
- Registry model: [Cessna A188A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188a) (registry code 2073008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18800701
- Airframe hours: 4847
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Sitton, Dwayne, doing business as Aerial Spraying
- Registered owner: Sitton, Dwayne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1993, 58 hours before
- Departed: NONE, JUSTIN, TX
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,492 total, 500 in this make and model, 9,425 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 46 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 19930515013919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930515013919A), May 15, 1993: Cessna A188A, Decatur, TX, Destroyed. Wing struck a tree while flying under powerline at end of spray run.

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.