# NTSB SEA04LA057: Cessna A188B, N731YZ, Palouse, WA, March 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 2004, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Palouse, WA - Coordinates: 46.886112, -117.093887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8861&lon=-117.0939&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58952 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58952/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to takeoff downwind resulting in his inability to achieve a positive climb rate and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident included the rising terrain and the tailwind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot departed runway 22 with a light quartering tailwind from a private airstrip in an area where the terrain was comprised of gently rolling hills. Unable to climb, the pilot started a gradual turn to the right to avoid rising terrain, and at the same time opened the dump gate to lighten his load. The airplane touched down on a hill at the end of the runway, bounced back into the air and landed going up the next hill at the end of the runway. The airplane then ground looped damaging its right wing. A 0753, a weather reporting facility located 7 nautical miles south of the accident site reported wind 080 degrees at 14 knots. At 0853, the same weather reporting facility reported wind 100 degrees at 17 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 25, 2004, approximately 0830 Pacific standard time, a Cessna A188B agricultural aircraft, N731YZ, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain following takeoff from a private airstrip near Palouse, Washington. The flight was operating in accordance with 14 CFR Part 137, and a flight plan was not filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The local aerial application flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), and according to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120,1/2), the pilot reported that he departed runway 22 from a private dirt airstrip which was in an area where the terrain was dominated with gently rolling hills. The pilot stated that he took off with a light quartering tail wind, but was unable to climb out at the end of the runway. The pilot further stated that he started a gradual turn to the right to avoid rising terrain, and at the same time opened the dump gate to lighten his load. The pilot related that still unable to climb, the airplane touched down on a hill at the end of the runway, bounced back into the air and landed going up the next hill at the end of the runway. The pilot reported that the right main [landing] gear was broken, which caused the airplane to ground loop, damaging the right wing. At 0753, the weather reporting facility at the Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, located approximately 7 nautical miles south of the accident site, reported wind 080 degrees at 14 knots. At 0853, the same weather facility reported wind 100 degrees at 17 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731YZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731YZ-2014-03-18), registration cancelled 2014-03-18, S/N 18803274T, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A188B - 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: 18803274T - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Dales Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Dale E. Schoepflin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Palouse, WA - Airport: runway 22, 2,300 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 6, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 1,153 total, 60 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 343 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: PUW, 7 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 20040325003799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040325003799A), Mar 25, 2004: Cessna A188B, Palouse, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 25, 2004 N731YZ, a Cessna 188 "ag truck" piloted by Mr. David r. bowen of redwood valley, California crashed on take-off from a Private airstrip… ## Other investigations on N731YZ (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 SEA91LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA179), Jul 18, 1991: Cessna 188B (N731YZ), Palouse, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. - [NTSB SEA84LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA187), Jul 31, 1984: Cessna A188B (N731YZ), Palouse, WA, 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.