# NTSB MKC85LA193: Cessna A188B, N731SM, Meade, KS, August 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1985, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Meade, KS
- Coordinates: 37.280788, -100.330284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2808&lon=-100.3303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA193

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN THE ACFT BEGAN TO MUSH. THE ACFT WAS OVER TALL CORN AND DESPITE THE USE OF FULL POWER IT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE ACFT FLEW ABOUT ONE MILE IN THE SEMI-STALLED CONDITION AND THEN BEGAN TO SETTLE. THE PLT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO DUMP THE CHEMICAL LOAD BUT THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE CORN AND CRASHED. DENSITY ALT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 4800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731SM-1988-08-15), registration cancelled 1988-08-15, S/N 18803119 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18803119
- Airframe hours: 1114
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jay Otto Borth
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1985, 175 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9,852 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DDC, 30 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 19850822047859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850822047859A), Aug 22, 1985: Cessna A188B, Meade, KS, Substantial damage. Aircraft settled into corn after being unable to climb after first swath run. Density altitude and load are factors

## Other investigations on N731SM (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 MKC81DCQ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81DCQ11), Jan 28, 1981: Cessna 188 (N731SM), Plains, KS, 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.