# NTSB MKC89LA140: Cessna 188B, N4724R, Grygla, MN, June 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1989, 20:30 local (Jun 24, 1989, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Grygla, MN
- Coordinates: 48.289093, -95.61016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2891&lon=-95.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA140

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT. TALL GRASS (HIGH VEGETATION) AT THE END OF THE STRIP WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID HE HAD USED THIS PVT STRIP ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, AND THAT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD ALREADY DISPENSED ABOUT 14 LOADS. ALSO, HE SAID THAT THE WIND HAD BECOME CALM, WHEREAS ON PREVIOUS TAKEOFFS, THERE WAS AN EXISTING WIND. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CONTACTED TALL GRASS AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP. A SPRAY BOOM CAUGHT THE TALL GRASS, THEN THE ACFT SPUN AROUND AND WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT IF THE GRASS AT THE END OF THE STRIP HAD BEEN MOWED, THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4724R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4724R-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 18802306T, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- 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: 18802306T
- Airframe hours: 3651
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Holte, James K
- Registered owner: Holte, James K
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1989, 135 hours before
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 36, 2,650 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,230 total, 310 in this make and model, 3,099 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVF, 20 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 19890623021689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890623021689A), Jun 23, 1989: Cessna A188B, Grygla, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft settled on initial takeoff from an ag strip. Spray boom caught in tall grass causing a ground loop.

## Other investigations on N4724R (2)

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 OAK79DVA19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVA19), Mar 3, 1979: Cessna A188B (N4724R), Dinuba, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK77DVA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVA25), Mar 21, 1977: Cessna 188B (N4724R), Merced, CA, destroyed

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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