# NTSB FTW94LA001: Cessna T188C, N2031J, New Deal, TX, October 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1993, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: New Deal, TX
- Coordinates: 33.73072, -101.829734 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7307&lon=-101.8297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA001

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN GROUND CLEARANCE WHILE AVOIDING A POWERLINE. FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE A SECOND SET OF POWER LINES PRIOR TO INITIATING THE SPRAYING RUN WAS ALSO A CAUSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS TO MAKE HIS FIRST PASS FROM SOUTH TO NORTH OVER A SET OF POWER LINES THAT HE WAS AWARE OF ON THE SOUTH END OF THE FIELD. HE INITIATED THE PASS BY DIVING INTO THE FIELD OVER THE LINES. AS HE DID SO, HE SAW A SECOND SET OF 30 FOOT HIGH LINES, 291 FEET NORTH OF THE FIRST. HE SUCCESSFULLY WENT UNDER THE SECOND LINES; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE SUPPORT POLES FOR THE SECOND SET OF LINES WERE OBSCURED.

## Factual narrative

On October 3, 1993, approximately 0915 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N2031J, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during an abrupt maneuver, near New Deal, Texas.  The airplane, flown by a commercial pilot, was on a local aerial application flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot received minor injuries.

The pilot stated that he circled the field to be sprayed, looking for obstructions.  He saw none other than the set of power lines at the south end of the field, of which he was already aware.  The pilot said he was beginning his first pass on the field, flying from south to north, by diving into the field over the southern set of lines.  He further stated that at that point he saw a second set of 30 foot high lines, located 291 feet north of the first set.  He successfully dove under the lines; however, the airplane struck the ground collapsing the gear.  The second set of power lines ran parallel to the first and the western pole was obscured by a tree line, while the eastern pole was part of the first set of lines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2031J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2031J-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N T18803336T, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803336T
- Airframe hours: 2175
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Longhorn Spraying, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1993, 90 hours before
- Departed: F83, ABERNATHY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19931003037349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931003037349A), Oct 3, 1993: Cessna T188C, New Deal, TX, Substantial damage. Cleared first set of wires on dive into spray field then tried to go under unseen second set. Impacted ground.

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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