# NTSB SEA93LA200: Cessna A188B, N9523G, Waterville, WA, September 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1993, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Waterville, WA
- Coordinates: 47.689594, -119.879371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6896&lon=-119.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA200

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE POWERLINE.

## 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
  - object - wire,transmission
  - , pilot in command
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH AN APPROXIMATE 100 FOOT HIGH POWER LINE. THE CANOPY AND THE TOP PORTION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND THE RUDDER SEPARATED UPON IMPACT WITH THE WIRES. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELLED A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE PITCHING UP STEEPLY THEN DESCENDING IN A LEFT TURN TO IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On September 15, 1993, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9523G, collided with power lines during an aerial application flight near Waterville, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire and the certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured.  The flight had originated from Waterville and was spraying a herbicide.

Witnesses in the area reported that they had observed the airplane flying in the area for most of the day.  The airplane was spraying a field and making passes under the high tension lines before pulling up to make another pass.  During the last pass, the witnesses observed something come off the airplane as it passed under the lines.  The airplane climbed steeply, then turned to the left descending rapidly and impacted the ground.  A post crash fire ignited and consumed the airplane.

Post crash inspection of the area revealed damage was noted to two of the 1.3 inch diameter wires.  The wires were approximately 100 feet above ground level.  The terrain was slightly rolling with short dry grass covering the ground.  The airplane's canopy had separated as well as the top of the vertical stabilizer.  Both areas indicated evidence of impact with the wires.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9523G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9523G-1993-11-02), registration cancelled 1993-11-02, S/N 18801513T (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: 18801513T
- Airframe hours: 3680
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-D3B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Johnson Air Service
- Registered owner: Johnson Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1993, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,800 total, 1,250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 17 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 19930915034419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930915034419A), Sep 15, 1993: Cessna A188B, Waterville, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck powerline on pullup from a spray run. Climbed steeply nosed over crashed and burned.

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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