# NTSB MIA97LA252: Cessna A188B, N731RP, Greenwood, MS, September 30, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 30, 1997, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Greenwood, MS - Coordinates: 33.509117, -90.190383 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5091&lon=-90.1904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38340 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38340/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA252 ## Probable cause The intentional operation of the airplane from an unsuitable takeoff area by the pilot-in-command and inadvertent rotation of the airplane after encountering rising terrain on the runway. ## 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 - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rising - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - rotation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis During the takeoff roll with a rise in the runway that the pilot was previously aware of, the airplane became airborne prematurely. He initiated dumping of the chemical and attempted to climb but the airplane collided with a tree 200 feet past the departure end of the runway. The airplane then impacted the ground and the right main landing gear was sheared off after contacting a ditch. The airplane then became inverted and was destroyed by a post crash fire. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that he and the owner were planning on repairing the runway and clearing the trees at the end of the spraying season. He further stated that there was no airframe or engine preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On September 30, 1997, about 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N731RP, registered to the Dixie Dusters, Inc., was destroyed by a postcrash fire during takeoff from a private grass airstrip located about 3 miles north of the Greenwood-Leflore Airport, Greenwood, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he had flown out of the accident airstrip for the past 5 years and was aware of a rough spot on the runway located about 1/2 way down the approximate 2,600-foot runway. During the takeoff roll the airplane began bouncing after encountering the rough spot. The pilot then began dumping the load of chemical and the airplane began to climb, but collided with a small tree at the departure end of the runway. The airplane then yawed to the left and while descending, impacted the ground then came to rest inverted. While exiting the airplane he noted a fire and was pushed away from the airplane by an explosion. The airplane was destroyed by the postcrash fire and the pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. Examination of the runway by an FAA inspector revealed that about 2,000 feet down the runway, a noticeable rise was detected. Also, damage to a tree was noted and impact with the ground was noted about 200 feet from the departure end of the runway. The right main landing gear was observed to be separated after contact with a ditch. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he and the owner were planning on correcting the runway and tree problem at the end of the spraying season in the fall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731RP-2003-05-06), registration cancelled 2003-05-06, S/N 18803098T, built 1977 (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: 18803098T - Airframe hours: 5983 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Dixie Dusters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1997 - Airport: runway 18, 2,640 × 45 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,044 total, 4,700 in this make and model, 8,700 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 3 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 19970930038059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970930038059A), Sep 30, 1997: Cessna A188B, Greenwood, MS, Destroyed. Porpoised on rough strip on takeodd. Dumped load. Lifted but hit tree end rwy. Exploded. Burned. (-23) aircraft took off from grass strip made contact with… ## Other investigations on N731RP (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 FTW81DRA23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRA23), Apr 20, 1981: Cessna 188 (N731RP), Francitas, TX, 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. --- 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.