# NTSB LAX84LA051: Cessna 188, N9302K, Needles, CA, November 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1983, 18:50 local (Nov 7, 1983, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Needles, CA
- Coordinates: 34.780208, -114.590118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7802&lon=-114.5901&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): 24080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE TOOK OFF APRX 10 TO 15 MIN AFTER SUNSET ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT. DURING A TURN TO BEGIN A SWATH RUN, HE NOTICED AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN DRIFT. AS HE WAS DESCENDING BELOW THE LEVEL OF NEARBY POWER LINES, THERE WAS A LOSS OF INDICATED AIRSPEED & THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GEAR STRUCK THE LIP OF A RAISED CONCRETE IRRIGATION DITCH & THE ACFT CRASHED. THE PLT REPORTED INDICATIONS OF A TEMPERATURE INVERSION & WIND SHEAR NEAR THE SURFACE. REPORTEDLY, THE ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9302K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 03929T
- Airframe hours: 474
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ag Rotor
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1983, 76 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,500 total, 969 in this make and model, 7,074 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19831106057889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831106057889A), Nov 6, 1983: Cessna T188C, Mohave Valley, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed after completing procedure turn when pilot failed to level off before hitting ground.

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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