# NTSB MIA92LA165: Cessna AT188B, N731PV, Prattville, AL, August 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1992, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Prattville, AL
- Coordinates: 32.509349, -86.560386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5093&lon=-86.5604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER VISUAL LOOKOUT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,static
  - visual lookout - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT DESCENDED TO CONDUCT AN AERIAL APPLICATION RUN TO THE WEST OVER A COTTON FIELD. THE PILOT OBSERVED POWER LINES TO HIS IMMEDIATE FRONT AND ATTEMPTED TO FLY BELOW THE POWER LINES. THE VERTICAL STABILIZER COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731PV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731PV-2004-04-23), registration cancelled 2004-04-23, S/N 18803056T, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA AT188B
- 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: 18803056T
- Airframe hours: 4470
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Farm Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Farm Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1992, 19 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 10,134 total, 5,950 in this make and model, 10,134 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 14 nm away

## 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 19920819032159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920819032159A), Aug 19, 1992: Cessna A188B, Prattville, AL, Substantial damage. Struck wires at start of spray run. Preflight of spray area not mentioned.

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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