# NTSB GAA16CA027: Cessna A188A, N4401Q, Elberta, UT, October 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2015, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Elberta, UT - Coordinates: 39.953056, -112.044723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9531&lon=-112.0447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Salt Lake City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for wind while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in a collision with terrain and a postcrash fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073008), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073008), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A188A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2073008), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna A188A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2073008), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073008), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A188A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073008), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Cessna A188A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=2073008), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight in rolling hills in a canyon, the canyon wind forced the airplane to the ground. The airplane impacted terrain, the pilot egressed from the cockpit without further incident, and a postcrash fire occurred. The airplane was destroyed in the postcrash fire. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight in rolling hills in a canyon, the canyon wind forced the airplane to the ground. The airplane impacted terrain, the pilot egressed from the cockpit without further incident, and a postcrash fire occurred. The airplane was destroyed in the postcrash fire. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Mountain Flight Operations The Federal Aviation Administration has published FAA-P-8740-60 Tips on Mountain Flying. This publication provides various tips on how to conduct safe flight operations in mountain areas. This publication states in part; Strong winds can cause some of the most dangerous conditions you'll have to contend with in the mountains. To minimize the chance of encountering dangerous turbulence, mountain flying should not be attempted if the winds aloft forecast at mountain top levels are greater than 25 knots. Above this level, potentially dangerous turbulence, as well as very strong up and down drafts is likely. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4401Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4401Q-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 18800801, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188A (A) - Registry model: [Cessna A188A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188a) (registry code 2073008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18800801 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 4885 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Rooster Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Rooster Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 18, 2015 - Departed: U77, SPANISH FORK, UT - Destination: U77, SPANISH FORK, UT - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,410 total, 100 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 24 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 20151024018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151024018449A), Oct 24, 2015: Cessna A188A, Eureka, UT, Destroyed. Pilot lost control during agricultural operations. Aircraft crashed in field, after inpact fire reported. No hazmat on board, pilot was seeding. No injuries to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92235. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 645 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.