# NTSB SEA94LA169: Cessna T-188C, N4900T, Weiser, ID, July 7, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1994, 21:46 local (Jul 7, 1994, 03:46 UTC)
- Place: Weiser, ID
- Coordinates: 44.469139, -116.910942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4691&lon=-116.9109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA169

## Probable cause

CLEARANCE FROM POWERLINES WAS NOT MAINTAINED.  FACTORS INCLUDE DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT PULLED UP EARLY WHILE ENGAGED IN AERIAL APPLICATION ACTIVITIES AT DUSK, STRIKING A POWER TRANSMISSION LINE WITH THE LEFT WING.  THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 1994, at 2146 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T-188C agricultural aircraft, N4900T, was substantially damaged when it struck a power line while engaged in aerial application activities.  The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries.  There was no flight plan filed for this flight which had originated at Weiser, Idaho at 2135, and no ELT was installed in the aircraft.

The pilot stated that agricultural operations were being conducted in the evening as they had to "wait for the bees to go to bed," because he was spraying insecticides.  He stated that he was flying west, into the sun, and pulled up too early for a transmission line that crossed the field at a 45 degree angle.  He said that a wing caught in the power line before crashing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4900T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4900T-1997-03-20), registration cancelled 1997-03-20, S/N 18802839T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T-188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18802839T
- Airframe hours: 3524
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Farmer'S Aerial Applicators
- Registered owner: Farmer'S Aerial Applicators
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1993, 227 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 17,814 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 17,534 as pilot in command, 227 in the last 90 days, 112 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## 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 19940706017599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940706017599A), Jul 6, 1994: Cessna T188C, Weiser, ID, Substantial damage. Made early pullup from swath run contacted powerline with left wing. Spun around and crashed.

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.