# NTSB GAA15CA089: Cessna 188, N53141, Polson, MT, May 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2015, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Polson, MT - Coordinates: 47.691112, -114.37722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6911&lon=-114.3772&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Helena FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91239 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91239/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91239 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane pitch, power, and turn coordination while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 188, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 188, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2073002), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 188, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2073002), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 188, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2073002), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 188, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2073002), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 188, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while maneuvering at low altitude on an aerial application flight, the airplane aerodynamically stalled and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing of the airplane. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while maneuvering at low altitude on an aerial application flight, the airplane aerodynamically stalled and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing of the airplane. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53141](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53141-2016-08-30), registration cancelled 2016-08-30, S/N 188-0120, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 188 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-188) (registry code 2073002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 188-0120 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 3643.75 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2015, 15 hours before - Departed: 7S0, Ronan, MT - Destination: PVT, Polson, MT - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review February 16, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 491 total, 131 in this make and model, 436 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: MSO, 37 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 20150526006349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150526006349A), May 26, 2015: Cessna 188, Polson, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot performing a left-to-right "teardrop" maneuver while performing linear aerial agricultural spraying applications, stalled, and impacted the ground in… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91239. 13.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 11.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photograph 1: Photograph of Left wing Substantial Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20Photograph%20of%20Left%20wing%20Substantial%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.