# NTSB WPR11CA196: Cessna T188C, N4562J, Palouse, WA, April 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2011, 06:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Palouse, WA - Coordinates: 46.884998, -117.076942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8850&lon=-117.0769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78857/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78857 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions at takeoff and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain during the initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine ran fine during the run-up inspection and takeoff, and the airplane was within weight and balance limitations. The departure runway had an upslope, there was rising terrain in the departure corridor, and witnesses reported a light tailwind at the time of departure. Shortly after the airplane lifted from the runway, it began to settle. The pilot pitched the nose up to try and fly over the terrain at the end of the runway, but the airplane stalled into the terrain about 500 feet past the departure end. The airplane nosed over inverted and the airframe and wings sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the engine ran fine during run up and takeoff, and the airplane was within weight and balance limitations. The departure runway had an upslope, and there was rising terrain in the departure corridor. Witnesses reported a light tail wind at the time of departure. The airplane got airborne, but began to settle. The pilot pitched the nose up to try and fly over the terrain at the end of the runway, but the airplane stalled into the terrain about 500 feet past the departure end. The airplane nosed over inverted and the airframe and wings sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4562J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4562J-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N T18803752T, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803752T - Airframe hours: 8708 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 137 - Operator: Dale Schoepflin - Registered owner: Dale Schoepflin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 2011 - Departed: WN26, Palouse, WA - Destination: WN26, Palouse, WA - Airport: WN26, Schoepflin Airport, runway 22, 2,200 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 12,801 total, 1,660 in this make and model, 68 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KPUW, 8 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 20110413004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110413004859A), Apr 13, 2011: Cessna T188C, Palouse, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed runway 22. Witnesses reported a light tailwind at the time of departure. After liftoff, pilot reported aircraft began to settle. Pilot increased… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78857. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Summary of Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 199 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Summary%20of%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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.