# NTSB LAX88DVG06: Cessna 188, N4946Q, Upper Lake, CA, June 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1988, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Upper Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 39.259796, -122.959197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2598&lon=-122.9592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG06

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACDT OCCURRED DRG AN AERIAL APP FLT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD FLOWN 6 OR 7 FLIGHTS EARLIER IN THE DAY. EACH FLIGHT THE LOAD WAS REDUCED DUE TO THE INCREASING TEMPERATURE OF THE DAY. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN WAS OK. AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED WEEDS. THE AIRPLANE SLOWED AND CAME TO REST INVERTED IN A RICE FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO HEAVY AND THE RUNWAY WAS TOO SHORT FOR THE CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4946Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4946Q-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 18802681T, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802681T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gordon, Fritz, doing business as Gordon Air Service
- Registered owner: Fritz K Gordon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,055 total, 1,438 in this make and model, 8,055 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880623028109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880623028109A), Jun 23, 1988: Cessna A188B, Upper Lake, CA, Destroyed. Unable to lift on short ag strip. Ran off end. Nosed over. Factors high temperature and heavy load. Misjudgement.

## Other investigations on N4946Q (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW77DPG70](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DPG70), Jul 23, 1977: Cessna 188 (N4946Q), Mcgehee, AR, 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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