# NTSB SEA99LA095: Cessna A188B, N4788Q, Big Sandy, MT, June 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 1999, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Big Sandy, MT - Coordinates: 48.000343, -110.080841 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0003&lon=-110.0808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46658 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46658/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the wire and his aircraft. A transmission wire and downdraft were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was pulling up from the end of an application run when the aircraft flew into a wire. The pilot stated that he knew that the aircraft was approaching the wire, but just as he initiated the pull-up to clear it, the aircraft encountered a downdraft. The pilot was unable to overcome the effects of the downdraft in time to clear the wire. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 1999, approximately 1230 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N4788Q, collided with a power line during a CFR Part 137 aerial application flight about 25 miles south of Big Sandy, Montana. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by Big Sandy Spraying Service, sustained substantial damage. The aircraft, which was being operated in visual meteorological conditions, had been airborne for about 20 minutes. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to local authorities, and the pilot's written statement, the pilot was pulling up from the end of an application run when the aircraft flew into the wire. The pilot said that he knew the aircraft was approaching the wire, but just as he initiated his pull-up to clear it, the aircraft encountered a downdraft. He was unable to overcome the effects of the downdraft in time to avoid contact with the wire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4788Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4788Q-2000-01-11), registration cancelled 2000-01-11, S/N 18802530T (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: 18802530T - Airframe hours: 3902 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D23 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Thomas L. Hlavnicka - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1999, 200 hours before - Departed: 3U8, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19990624007569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990624007569A), Jun 24, 1999: Cessna 188B, Big Sandy, MT, Substantial damage. Acft struck a power line during aerial application and crashed, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on June 24, 1999, approximately 1230 mountain daylight… ## Other investigations on N4788Q (3) 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 CHI94LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA012), Oct 12, 1993: Cessna A188B (N4788Q), Wall, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE TYPE (MAKE AND… - [NTSB CHI91DCJ08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCJ08), Sep 9, 1991: Cessna 188B (N4788Q), Belgrade, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE PREMATURE LIFTOFF. - [NTSB MKC81DCJ26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81DCJ26), Aug 1, 1981: Cessna 188 (N4788Q), Rising City, NE, substantial damage 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.