# NTSB SEA94LA158: Cessna A188, N9879V, Cut Bank, MT, June 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1994, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Cut Bank, MT
- Coordinates: 48.650005, -112.840377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6500&lon=-112.8404&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): 41960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA158

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE CROSSWIND AND THE DITCH WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF NORTHBOUND ON A TWO LANE, PAVED ROAD, WITH A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DRIFT RIGHT AND THE RIGHT WHEEL DROPPED INTO A DITCH ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. THE RIGHT WHEEL STRUT SEPARATED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE STRUT FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE.

## Factual narrative

On June 22, 1994, approximately 1000 hours mountain daylight time (mdt), a Cessna A188, N9879V, registered to and operated by H&H Aircraft Leasing, Inc., and being flown by Thomas R. Kiefer, a certificated commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft's right main landing gear strut separated during an attempted takeoff from a two lane, paved road at a spray site approximately 20 nautical miles west of Cut Bank, Montana. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was a rinse operation for the aircraft's spray system, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR137.

The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he initiated a takeoff to the north with a six to seven knot left quartering tailwind. During the roll the aircraft became airborne and then settled back onto the road and began to drift right. The pilot attempted to correct for the drift, but the right wheel rolled into the ditch along the east edge of the road. Shortly thereafter, the right wheel separated at a point several inches above the wheel axle. The FAA inspector reported seeing no evidence of fatigue at the fracture surface.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9879V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9879V-1998-03-03), registration cancelled 1998-03-03, S/N 1880129 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188) (registry code 2073004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188-0129
- Airframe hours: 3169
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: H&H Aircraft Leasing, Inc.
- Registered owner: H&H Aircraft Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1994, 135 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 450 total, 130 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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