# NTSB FTW96LA338: Cessna A188B, N92917, Winnsboro, LA, August 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1996, 05:50 local (10:50 UTC) - Place: Winnsboro, LA - Coordinates: 32.159931, -91.72052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1599&lon=-91.7205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19938/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA338 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and altitude/clearance during the takeoff. A factor was the density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was on the first takeoff of the day in the early dawn. The winds were calm, with a temperature of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the airplane was at a gross weight of 3,510 pounds (maximum gross weight 4,400 pounds). After breaking ground from the 2,200 foot airstrip, 'the airplane climbed to about 12 feet AGL and started settling.' The pilot added that the airplane 'entered dead air and sank into ground effect.' The main wheels caught in the corn plants at the departure end of the runway, resulting in a sudden deceleration and subsequent descent to the ground. Inspection of the accident site revealed that the airplane traveled for approximately 20 feet after impacting the corn field. The pilot stated that the engine was performing 'normally and there were no flight control problems.' ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1996, at 0550 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N92917, registered to and operated by Yates Flying Service, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, impacted terrain during takeoff near Winnsboro, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported the following information. The pilot was on the first takeoff of the day in the early dawn. The winds were calm, with a temperature of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the airplane was at a gross weight of 3,510 pounds (maximum gross weight 4,400 pounds). After breaking ground from the 2,200 foot airstrip, "the airplane climbed to about 12 feet AGL and started settling." The pilot added that the airplane "entered dead air and sank into ground effect." The main wheels caught in the corn plants at the departure end of the runway, resulting in a sudden deceleration and subsequent descent to the ground. Post accident examination of the airplane, by the FAA inspector and the pilot, revealed that both wings, the empennage, and the top of the cabin sustained structural damage. Inspection of the accident site revealed that the airplane traveled for approximately 20 feet after impacting the corn field. The pilot told the FAA inspector that the engine was performing "normally and there were no flight control problems." In the recommendation block of the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot offered no recommendation on how this accident could have been prevented and stated "probable localized inversion." Based on figures provided by the operator, the investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude as 1,500 feet. No evidence was found that the pilot attempted to jettison the load to clear the obstructions at the end of the field. The approved flight manual for the airplane does provide takeoff/climb performance data for restricted category operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92917](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92917-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 18802075T, built 1975 (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: 188-020755 - Airframe hours: 5920 - Engines: Continental IO-540-51A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Yates Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1996, 5 hours before - Airport: LS11, Liddieville, runway 36, 2,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 35,000 total, 20,000 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19960807021389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960807021389A), Aug 7, 1996: Cessna A188B, Liddieville, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft would not gain lift after takeoff and crashed in a corn field on departure end of runway. (-23) the pilot reported that he was only able to climb… 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.