# NTSB SEA96LA138: Cessna A188B, N731ED, Opheim, MT, June 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1996, 05:25 local (11:25 UTC) - Place: Opheim, MT - Coordinates: 48.8703, -106.559638 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8703&lon=-106.5596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42402 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42402/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA138 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to follow the proper short field takeoff procedure as specified in the Airplane Flight Manual, his improper use of wing flaps during the takeoff, and his failure to abort the takeoff (while there was sufficient runway remainin). A factor relating to the accident was: the presence of a berm beyond the end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - short field takeoff/procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he loaded his airplane with herbicide and fuel in preparation for a local aerial application flight. He began to take off to the north on a 2,675-foot grass airstrip, after determining that light winds were from the southwest. After traversing about two-thirds of the runway without becoming airborne, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. He then began another takeoff to the south from the opposite end of the runway. He selected 'full flaps' for the takeoff. After traversing half of the runway, the airplane's tail 'came up,' and the airplane began to bounce up and down along the remaining runway length. The airplane overran the runway and impacted a berm, and its tail section was substantially damaged. The flaps were found in the fully extended (20 degree) position at the accident site. According to the airplane flight manual, the flaps should not be placed beyond the 10-degree position for a short field takeoff. The inspector also stated that the operator did not hold a valid agriculture operating certificate at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1996, about 0525 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A188B, operated by Northern Aero, Inc, Whitewater, Montana, collided with terrain in Opheim, Montana, during the takeoff roll and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The aerial application flight was conducted under 14 CFR 137. The pilot stated that he loaded his airplane with 140 gallons of herbicide and 54 gallons of fuel in preparation for a local aerial application flight. He began to take off to the north on a 2,675-foot airstrip, after determining that light winds were from the southwest. After traversing about two-thirds of the runway without becoming airborne, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. He then began another takeoff to the south from the opposite end of the runway. He stated that he selected "full flaps" for the takeoff. After traversing half of the runway, the airplane's tail "came up," and the airplane began to bounce up and down along the remaining runway length. The pilot reported that the airplane "was not responding" to his efforts to become airborne during the takeoff roll. The airplane overran the runway and impacted a berm. The airplane's tail section was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that he does not recall hearing any unusual engine noises, and he was not aware of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Helena, Montana, the flaps were found in the fully extended (20 degree) position at the accident site. According to the airplane flight manual for the Cessna A188B, the flaps should not be placed beyond the 10-degree retracted position for a short field takeoff. The inspector also stated that the operator did not hold a valid agriculture operating certificate at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731ED](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731ED-1998-07-20), registration cancelled 1998-07-20, S/N 18802831T (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: 18802831T - Airframe hours: 3663 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Northern Aero, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1996, 59 hours before - Airport: S00, Opheim, runway 16, 2,675 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 640 total, 49 in this make and model, 557 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19960629015619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960629015619A), Jun 29, 1996: Cessna A188B, Opheim, MT, Substantial damage. Full flaps on takeoff. Bounced and porpoised. Failed lift. Overran runway hit berm. Flaps 10 not 20. No ag license. ## Other investigations on N731ED (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 SEA93LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA195), Sep 9, 1993: Cessna A188B (N731ED), Ringling, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. 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.