# NTSB MKC88DCJ01: Cessna A188B, N70135, Dalton, NE, May 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1988, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Dalton, NE
- Coordinates: 41.40068, -102.969879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4007&lon=-102.9699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34458
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88DCJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34458/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88DCJ01

## 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
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - spray/dusting equipment - erratic (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING A LARGE FIELD WHICH HAD A POWER LINE ALONG THE NORTH SIDE. ON THE 1ST COUPLE OF PASSES, THE SPRAY EQUIPMENT HAD INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTIONS. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE FIELD FROM NORTH FOR THE 4TH PASS, IT STRUCK THE UPPER CABLE OF THE POWER LINE, THEN CRASHED IN THE FIELD. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT & A WITNESS, THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE WITH WHIRLWIND ACTIVITY IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70135](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70135-1993-11-18), registration cancelled 1993-11-18, S/N 18801844T (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: 18801844T
- Airframe hours: 2756
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Nelson Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 29, 1988, 37 hours before
- Departed: SNY, SIDNEY, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,741 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 8,473 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNY, 23 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 19880511036389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880511036389A), May 11, 1988: Cessna A188B, Dalton, NE, Destroyed. Struck wires and crashed during a spray run. Whirlwinds in area. Pilot severly injured when seat failed on impact.

## Other investigations on N70135 (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 DEN75FTE48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75FTE48), Jan 21, 1975: Cessna 188B (N70135), Longmont, CO, 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.
