# NTSB FTW95LA332: Cessna A188B, N4866R, Fort Necessity, LA, August 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 1995, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Fort Necessity, LA - Coordinates: 31.970348, -91.809082 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9703&lon=-91.8091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19528 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA332 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19528/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA332 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING USED IN AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT TO SPRAY COTTON. DURING DESCENT FROM A TURN-AROUND MANEUVER, THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME. WITNESSES REPORTED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA WITH WINDS GUSTING FROM 15 TO 30 KNOTS. NATIONAL WEATHER SURFACE RADAR SUMMARY REPORTS INDICATED RAINSHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MAINTENANCE ANOMALIES. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 1995, at 1345 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N4866R, collided with the terrain while maneuvering near Fort Necessity, Louisiana. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 137 by James Lachney Flying Service of Gilbert, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed with thunderstorms moving into the area. A flight plan was not filed for the local aerial application flight. During interviews, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a witness and the operator reported the following information. The flight departed the operator's private airstrip for the purpose of spraying a cotton field with Guthion. During the descent from a turn to reverse direction maneuver, the right wing of the airplane struck the ground and the wing separated from the airframe. After traveling about 50 yards in the 5 feet high cotton rows, the airplane "cartwheeled" and the engine separated from the airplane. Subsequently, the fuselage came to rest inverted with the empennage and left wing folded over the fuselage. The integrity of the fuel tanks and hopper was compromised. Witnesses reported thunderstorms in the area with winds gusting from 15 to 30 knots. The FAA inspector and the airplane manufacturer's representative examined the site and reported that portions of the right wing tip were found in the initial ground scars. See the enclosed distribution diagram (Cessna) for additional details. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The examination of the airframe and engine did not disclose any maintenance anomalies. The Wisner-Gilbert Airport, at Gilbert, Louisiana, is located approximately 5 miles east of the site. According to the airplane manufacturer representative, airport personnel, reported "gusty winds and convective activity prevailed throughout the area at the time of the mishap." The enclosed weather data from the National Weather Service at Shreveport, Louisiana, revealed the following radar summary. At 1235, northeastern Louisiana contained areas of rainshowers with thunderstorms moving from the east. By 1435, the northeast Louisiana area was depicted with thunderstorms throughout the area. The autopsy was performed by Steven T. Hayne, M. D., F.C.A.P. of Brandon, Mississippi for the Mississippi State Medical Examiner. Toxicology findings were negative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4866R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4866R-1997-08-21), registration cancelled 1997-08-21, S/N 18802385T (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18802385T - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James L. Lachney - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, GILBERT, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950806021979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950806021979A), Aug 6, 1995: Cessna A188B, Necessity, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Right wing hit the ground during course reversal in strong surface wind. Thunderstorms in area. 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.