# NTSB LAX92LA142: Cessna A188B, N53241, Corcoran, CA, March 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1992, 16:33 local (Mar 14, 1992, 00:33 UTC)
- Place: Corcoran, CA
- Coordinates: 36.069629, -119.52919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0696&lon=-119.5292&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 August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA142

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT'S ENCOUNTER DURING THE TAKEOFF WITH A CROSSWIND GUST BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - utility pole
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO STATEMENTS FROM BOTH THE PILOT AND HIS GROUND LOADER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL WHEN A SUDDEN 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND GUST CAUSED THE PILOT TO MOMENTARILY LOOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PILOT RECOVERED CONTROL AND CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT OFF, A SECOND AND STRONGER CROSSWIND GUST BEGAN PUSHING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT INTO A LINE OF TELEPHONE POLES PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO DUMP THE LOAD OF CHEMICALS IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE POLES BUT THE MECHANISM MOMENTARILY JAMMED AND THE LOAD DID NOT TOTALLY JETTISON. THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE POLE, SHEARING IT OFF. THE AIRCRAFT THEN CRASHED INTO AN ADJACENT SANTA FE RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE STEADY STATE CROSSWIND COMPONENT WAS 10 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS. CESSNA AIRCRAFT ESTIMATED THAT THE MAXIMUM CROSSWIND COMPONENT CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS 13 KNOTS. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE THIRD LOAD OF THE DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53241](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53241-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 18801704, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- 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: 18801704
- Airframe hours: 3350
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D-23 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Divine Aerial Applicators
- Registered owner: Gerald & Marjorie Divine
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1991, 126 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Pvt Ranch Airstrip, runway 36, 4,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,540 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19920313006319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920313006319A), Mar 13, 1992: Cessna A188B, Corcoran, CA, Destroyed. Crosswind gust drifted aircraft into area of wires and poles on climbout. Wing was sheared off on a pole.

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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