# NTSB MKC89DER01: Cessna T188C, N9438J, Wannaska, MN, July 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1989, 21:30 local (Jul 3, 1989, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Wannaska, MN
- Coordinates: 48.649665, -95.730651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6497&lon=-95.7307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89DER01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89DER01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DID NOT MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS DISPENSING CHEMICALS FOR GRASSHOPPER CONTROL AT LATE DUSK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE IN A SWAMPY AREA. DURING IMPACT, THE NOSE & LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS WERE CRUSHED AFT. THE FUSELAGE WAS SLIGHTLY BUCKLED ON THE LEFT SIDE, BUT THE EMPENNAGE WAS NOT DAMAGED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9438J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9438J-1990-07-31), registration cancelled 1990-07-31, S/N T18803805T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803805T
- Airframe hours: 1001
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Charles T. Lofton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1989, 113 hours before
- Departed: ROSEAU, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890702019449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890702019449A), Jul 2, 1989: Cessna T188C, Wannaska, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Aircraft damage indicates a stalled condition on impact in a swamp. No witnesses. No mechanical problems found.

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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