# NTSB SEA94LA152: Cessna T188C, N2535J, Angela, MT, June 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1994, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Angela, MT - Coordinates: 47.000602, -106.20951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0006&lon=-106.2095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41955 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41955/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA152 ## Probable cause DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: WET TERRAIN AND INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL CAP ON THE WING WAS LOOSE AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FILLER CAP. THE PILOT OPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SOD RUNWAY WAS WET AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SLIDE AND GROUND LOOPED BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1994, at 0600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N2535J, ground looped on takeoff from a private airstrip near Angela, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was loaded with 170 gallons of the herbicide 24D. There was no chemical spill. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane had just been fueled by the ground crew while he was loading the chemical. Prior to takeoff, the pilot stated that he checked the oil and drained the fuel pump but did not check the fuel filler caps. During the takeoff ground roll, just before lift off, the pilot noticed that the fuel cap on the right wing was loose and fuel was leaking from the filler cap. The pilot aborted the takeoff and applied the brakes. The pilot stated that the night before it had rained and the sod runway was wet. The brakes were not effective and the airplane began to slide to the side and eventually ground looped before coming to a stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2535J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2535J-2009-11-23), registration cancelled 2009-11-23, S/N T18803471T, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803471T - Airframe hours: 2268 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520T 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Pluhar, Dennis A. - Registered owner: Pluhar, Dennis A. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1994, 108 hours before - Airport: Haglof, runway 4, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,079 total, 3,034 in this make and model, 3,926 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19940604025499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940604025499A), Jun 4, 1994: Cessna T188C, Angela, MT, Substantial damage. Noted fuel cap leaking on takeoff. Aborted. Applied brakes and ground looped on wet grass runway. ## Other investigations on N2535J (1) 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 SEA07LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA166), Jun 10, 2007: Cessna T188C (N2535J), Rock Springs, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left main landing gear due to fatigue. 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.