# NTSB WPR11LA181: Cessna A188, N5851G, Palouse, WA, April 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 2011, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Palouse, WA - Coordinates: 46.900001, -117.066665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9000&lon=-117.0667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78734/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78734 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA181 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from obstacles during a low-level aerial application maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was on his second pass applying dry fertilizer to a field during an aerial application flight. He banked to the right away from steeply rising terrain. During the turn, the resultant loss of lift from the banked turn and gusting wind carried the airplane toward trees at the edge of the field. Despite the pilot's efforts to maneuver away from the trees, the airplane collided with them. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 2011, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N5851G, collided with terrain during an aerial application flight near Palouse, Washington. Dale’s Flying Service was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage from impact forces. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was on his second pass applying dry fertilizer to a field, which had steeply rising terrain of a ridge line at the end of his run. During the turn out, he indicated that the loss of lift from his right bank and gusty wind conditions carried the airplane toward trees at the edge of the field. The airplane did not have enough power to climb over the trees, and despite the pilot's efforts to maneuver away, the airplane collided with the trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5851G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5851G-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 18801154T, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18801154T - Airframe hours: 11496 - Engines: Continental Motors, Inc IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Dales Flying Service - Registered owner: Dales Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 11, 2011 - Departed: WN26, Palouse, WA - Destination: Palouse, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: serious; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 20, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 6,700 total, 22 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KPUW ## 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 20110401004389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110401004389A), Apr 1, 2011: Cessna A188B, Palouse, WA, Substantial damage. The pilot morgan a. stanton was spraying fertilizer on a field just south of kamiak butte. His turning area was up hill from the field towards the butte.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78734. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346452&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.