# NTSB LAX86FUG06: Cessna 188, N70240, Thermal, CA, September 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1986, 07:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Thermal, CA
- Coordinates: 33.710239, -116.229331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7102&lon=-116.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FUG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUG06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING HIS 4TH TAKEOFF FROM THE RUTTED RWY SURFACE. THE TAIL WHEEL SLIPPED INTO A RUT ON THE RWY AND THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT WHERE IT CONTACTED 8-10 FT TALL BRUSH. THE ACFT TRAVELED THROUGH THE BRUSH, CONTACTED AN EMBANKMENT AND NOSED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70240](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70240-1991-05-01), registration cancelled 1991-05-01, S/N 18801875T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801875T
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Robert J Willis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1986, 60 hours before
- Airport: TRM, Thermal, runway 17, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 31,000 total, 30,000 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM

## 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 19860930046789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860930046789A), Sep 30, 1986: Cessna A188B, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. Veered on takeoff roll when tail wheel slipped into a rut on runway. Wing struck tall brush, aircraft nosed down.

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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