FTW93LA212

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna A188B · Temple, TX · July 8, 1993

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
July 8, 1993, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
Place
Temple, TX
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N4739RCessna A188B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 26, 1994
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19930708023039A
Case key
18792

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

Pilot's failure to maintain proper object/terrain clearance. Factors were tailwinds and high density altitude.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectManeuvering - aerial application
Object - tree(s)
Clearance - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - high density altitudeFactor
Weather condition - tailwindFactor
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

The operator and pilot reported a temperature of 95 degrees fahrenheit with the winds from the southwest at 20 knots gusting to 30 knots. They further reported that during the low turn around in the high density altitude conditions of approximately 3,200 feet, the airplane did not sustain flight. The left wing of the airplane hit a tree and the airplane descended to the corn field. The operator reported that the turn-around was not performed at sufficient altitude to allow adequate clearance.

Factual narrative

On July 8, 1993, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N4739R, was substantially damage near Temple, Texas, during aerial application maneuvering. The commercial pilot did not sustain injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the aerial application flight.

During telephone interviews, conducted by the investigator in charge, the operator and the pilot stated that the airplane was loaded with 48 gallons of fuel and 80 gallons of chemical. They further stated that the temperature for the day was at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit and during a low turn-around in high humidity and high density altitude conditions the airplane did not maintain altitude. They reported the winds were from the southwest at 20 knots gusting to 30 knots and the turn-around was attempted with a quartering tailwind. The pilot stated that the left wing hit a tree and the airplane descended into the corn field. The operator reported (enclosed statement) that the turn- around maneuver was not made high enough.

Numerous attempts were made by the investigator in charge to obtain the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). This report has not been received.

Aircraft

Registration
N4739R
Reported as
Cessna A188B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
18802312T
Engine
Continental IO-520-D, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Aerial application · Part 137
Registered owner
Prater, James B.
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · May 3, 1993
Departed
Taylor, TX

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
19
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Center
Flight hours
700 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
225° at 20 knots, gusting 30
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
95 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.