# NTSB SEA96LA159: Cessna A188B, N9336R, Pullman, WA, July 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 1996, 06:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Pullman, WA - Coordinates: 46.66954, -117.959327 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6695&lon=-117.9593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA159 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance during a swath run. Factors relating to the accident were: unfavorable (variable) wind conditions, low airspeed, and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was spraying a field to the north and south with a light wind from the northwest and wind shear from different directions. He reported that as he was spraying south toward a small ridge, the airplane suddenly settled. The airplane collided with terrain, just below the top of a ridge, then it bounced and became airborne. The pilot tried to recover; however, the engine was no longer responding. The airplane then stalled and again collided with the terrain, flat on its belly. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 1996, at 0645 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9336R, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, collided with the terrain while maneuvering near Pullman, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The flight had departed from Pullman approximately ten minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was spraying an insecticide north and south over a pea field with a light wind from the northwest, and wind shear conditions from different directions. The pilot stated that he began a spray run to the south, toward a small ridge, when that the airplane suddenly settled to the ground and the airplane collided with the ridge just below the top. The airplane bounced and became airborne. The pilot tried to recover, however, the engine was no longer responding. The pilot stated that the airplane "stalled" and again collided with the terrain flat on its belly. After the accident, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9336R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9336R-1999-08-27), registration cancelled 1999-08-27, S/N 18802243T (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: 18802243T - Airframe hours: 4400 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-S1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Sager, Arthur W. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1996, 400 hours before - Departed: PUW, PULLMAN, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,800 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PUW, 7 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 19960716017919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960716017919A), Jul 16, 1996: Cessna A188B, Pullman, WA, No damage. No narrative available 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.