# NTSB LAX83LA142: Cessna T188C, N9957J, Clarksburg, CA, March 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1983, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Clarksburg, CA
- Coordinates: 38.369312, -121.580513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3693&lon=-121.5805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA142

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A NARROW GRAVEL STRIP WITH A X-WIND WHEN HE ENCOUNTER A STRONG GUST. REPORTEDLY, HE LOST CONTROL WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 1 FT AGL & THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL HIT A DITCH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS SPUN AROUND & WAS DAMAGED. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 35 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9957J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9957J-2006-09-05), registration cancelled 2006-09-05, S/N T18803886T, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- 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: T18803886T
- Airframe hours: 289
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Alexander Ag Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: Ag Strip, runway 5, 3,000 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,193 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 174 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 5 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 19830316008099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830316008099A), Mar 16, 1983: Cessna T188C, Clarksburg, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control after liftoff in a severe crosswind. Aircraft struck a ditch.

## Other investigations on N9957J (4)

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.

- [NTSB CHI00LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA198), Jul 15, 2000: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Rock Dell, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the terrain.
- [NTSB CHI98LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA240), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Austin, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel. Factors were the throttle control not safetied, the crops, and unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot
- [NTSB LAX97LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA293), Aug 15, 1997: Cessna 188 (N9957J), Eloy, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control due to inadequate rudder use.
- [NTSB FTW89DQG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG06), Sep 5, 1989: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Levelland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO A LEAK IN THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

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.

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