# NTSB GAA19CA454: Cessna T188, N3367J, Deshler, NE, July 24, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2019, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Deshler, NE - Coordinates: 40.167221, -97.714721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1672&lon=-97.7147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA454 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99933/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99933 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA454 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during low-altitude maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while conducting an agricultural application flight, he made a minimum bank angle turn to the south. He then maneuvered the airplane to avoid wires, but the vertical stabilizer struck the bottom set of wires, which resulted in the separation of the top section of the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground, and a postaccident fire ensued. The airplane was consumed by postaccident fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while conducting an aerial application flight, he made a minimum bank angle turn to the south. Then maneuvered the airplane to avoid wires, but the airplane's vertical stabilizer struck the bottom set of wires. The collision resulted in the loss of the top section of the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a post-accident fire ensued. The airplane was consumed by a post-accident fire. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3367J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3367J-2021-05-01), registration cancelled 2021-05-01, S/N T18803635T, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T188 (C) - 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: T18803635T - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 6724.1 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-T1B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 2019 - Departed: HJH, Hebron, NE - 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; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 18, 2019; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 467 total, 78 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KHJH, 6 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 20190724012439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190724012439A), Jul 24, 2019: Cessna T188C, Deshler, NE, Substantial damage. 1 Mile north 1/2 mile east of Deshler Nebraska thayer county aircraft accident in a corn field. Hit high tension electrical wires and crashed into field. Only… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 19, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99933. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 835 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475913&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.