# NTSB LAX85FVD02: Cessna 188B, N9966J, Lodi, CA, June 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1985, 05:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Lodi, CA
- Coordinates: 38.110939, -121.160621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1109&lon=-121.1606&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): 24549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FVD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FVD02

## 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
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON JUNE 24, 1985, AT 0520 HOURS PDT, A CESSNA AG TRUCK 188B, N9966J, REGISTERED TO JAMES L. THOMAS AND OPERATED BY AG- FLIGHT, INC. COLLIDED WITH THE BRIM OF AN IRRIGATION CANAL DURING TAKE-OFF FROM THE THOMAS RANCH STRIP AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A FIELD BEYOND THE CANAL WHILE ON A FLIGHT TO APPLY SULFER ON A LOCAL VINEYARD. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY CRASH IMPACT FORCES AND FIRE FROM THE BURNING SULFER CARRIED WITHIN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE CERTIFICATED ATP PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURY TO HIS EYES FROM THE BURNING SULFER. THE PILOT STATES THAT ALL NORMAL PREFLIGHT OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT TAKEOFF WITH NO ABNORMAL INDICATION THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRCRAFT WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL WITH SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. AT LIFT OFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A NEAR STALL CONDITION BEFORE STRIKING THE CANAL BRIM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9966J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18803895
- Airframe hours: 800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-0 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James L. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,990 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,990 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19850624028119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850624028119A), Jun 24, 1985: Cessna 188B, Lodi, CA, Destroyed. Collided with bushes and a berm during takeoff with load of sulfur. Previous undetermined fuel flow problems.

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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