# NTSB MKC88LA110: Cessna 188B, N731CD, Dighton, KS, June 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1988, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Dighton, KS
- Coordinates: 38.480278, -100.46083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4803&lon=-100.4608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA110

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - climb - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - initiated
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PLT SAID THAT AS HE INITIATED LIFTOFF, THE ACFT TURNED TO THE LEFT AND HE FELT HE HAD NO RUDDER CONTROL. HE HIT A FENCE ON THE APT BOUNDARY, CONTINUED, DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD, HIT A TREE, AND LANDED IN A FIELD ADJACENT TO A HIGHWAY. A KANSAS STATE HIGHWAY PATROLMAN STATED HE DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT. THE PLT WENT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES BUT LEFT PRIOR TO RECEIVING TREATMENT. HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES ALSO MADE MENTION OF THE ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT. THE PLT LEFT THE AREA IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTING THE HOSPITAL AND COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR TOXICOLOGY TESTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731CD-1992-01-30), registration cancelled 1992-01-30, S/N 18802784T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802784T
- Airframe hours: 1339
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Wendler Air Ag
- Registered owner: Clarence Wendler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: K65
- Destination: K65
- Airport: K65, Dighton, runway 18, 2,900 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 4,800 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCK, 40 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 19880614020229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880614020229A), Jun 14, 1988: Cessna 188B, Dighton, KS, Substantial damage. Lost control after liftoff. Clipped a fence, veered into a tree and crashed. Reported odor of alcohol on pilot.

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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