# NTSB LAX83LA466: Cessna 188B, N9961J, Modesto, CA, April 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1983, 14:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Modesto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.629222, -121.010917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6292&lon=-121.0109&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): 23869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA466
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA466

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerial application equipment - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Tail gear collapsed, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING TAKEOFF AND PULLED THE TAILWHEEL OUT OF THE EMPENNAGE. THE PLT SAID THE DUMP VALVEFAILED TO WORK OR 'STRUCK' SO HE COULD NOT JETTISON THE LOAD. HE FELT THE NEED TO 'DUMP' WHEN THE ACFT HIT A 'SOFTSPOT' IN THE GRAVEL AND DIRT RWY WHICH WAS SOFT AND MUDDY IN SPOTS. THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH 20 GALLONS OF FUEL AND 170 GALLONS OF CHEMICALS. AFTER THE COLLISION THE PLT MANEUVERED BACK TO THE RWY AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER MISHAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9961J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9961J-1994-04-14), registration cancelled 1994-04-14, S/N 18803890T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18803890T
- Airframe hours: 88
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: My Ranch Flying Sevice
- Registered owner: Bill Yandell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1983
- Airport: Yandell Ranch, runway 28, 2,640 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,350 total, 4,492 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19830415063409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830415063409A), Apr 15, 1983: Cessna 188B, Modesto, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit fence during takeoff tearing tail wheel off causing substantial damage.

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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