# NTSB LAX83LA334: Cessna A188B, N4463Q, Calipatria, CA, July 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1983, 22:10 local (Jul 19, 1983, 05:10 UTC)
- Place: Calipatria, CA
- Coordinates: 33.130279, -115.520393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1303&lon=-115.5204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA334
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA334

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING IN A COTTON FIELD DURING A CROP DUSTING OPERATION AFTER BUFFETING WAS FELT IN A TURN. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE WAS STALLING IN VORTEX TURBULENCE FROM ANOTHER ACFT IN FRONT OF HIM. A TOXIC LOAD OF SUPRECIDE WAS DUMPED BEFORE THE PILOT LANDED IN THE COTTON FIELD. THE PILOT ALSO SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH SOME POWER WAS AVAILABLE THE POWER DID NOT INCREASE WHEN HE ADDED MORE THROTTLE. HE STATED THAT HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN THE LEVEL FIELD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED VALVE TRAIN CONTINUITY, THE MAGNETOS SPARKED, AND DIFFERENTIAL COMPRESSION WAS GOOD THERE NO FUEL CONTAMINATION. NO CONDITIONS WERE FOUND THAT WOULD PREVENT NORMAL OPERATION OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4463Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18800863
- Airframe hours: 3461
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D9 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ben-Co Cstm. Aerial Applicator
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1983, 78 hours before
- Departed: CLR, CALIPATRIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,036 total, 1,309 in this make and model, 4,857 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 225° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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