# NTSB MIA95LA204: Cessna A188B, N4940R, Muscle Shoals, AL, August 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 1995, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Muscle Shoals, AL - Coordinates: 34.740261, -87.640899 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7403&lon=-87.6409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37815/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA204 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE-AND-AVOID ELECTRICAL POWER LINES, WHILE APPROACHING A FIELD FOR AERIAL APPLICATION. ## 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,transmission - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED SPRAYING COTTON FIELDS. AS THE FLIGHT MADE AN APPROACH FROM NORTH TO SOUTH TOWARD A FIELD, A WITNESS OBSERVED A FLASH AND THEN SAW THE BURNING WRECKAGE OF THE AIRCRAFT. EXAMINATION SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT HAD COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 1995, about 1720 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N4940R, registered to Air Ag Service, Inc., struck wires and crashed near Muscle Shoals, Alabama, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Florence, Alabama, about 1700. A witness observed the aircraft spraying cotton fields. As the aircraft made a pass from north to south he observed a flash out of the corner of his eye and then observed the flames coming from the aircraft wreckage. Examination of the crash site by an FAA inspector showed the vertical stabilizer of the aircraft had contacted an electrical transmission line as the aircraft approached a cotton field to spray. The aircraft crashed about 50 feet from the electrical lines and a postcrash fire erupted and destroyed the aircraft. Postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Kenneth E. Warner, M.D., Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt trauma injuries. No findings which could be considered causal to the accident were reported. Postmortem toxicology testing on specimens obtained from the pilot was performed by Dr. Dennis V. Canfield, FAA Toxicology Unit, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for ethanol alcohol, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. An NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (6120.1/2), was sent to representatives of the operator. The completed report was not returned to NTSB. Logbook records on the aircraft and pilot were requested by FAA and NTSB following the accident. The operator did not produce the logbook records for examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4940R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4940R-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 18802457T, built 1975 (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: 18802457T - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: James L. Hale, doing business as Larry Hale - Registered owner: Air Ag Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: FLORENCE, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSL, 5 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 19950813023079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950813023079A), Aug 13, 1995: Cessna A188B, Muscle Shoals, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tail caught a power line descending to spray field. Crashed and burned. ## Other investigations on N4940R (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 DEN90LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA156), Jul 11, 1990: Cessna 188 (N4940R), Michigan, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT DURING LANDING. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.