- Date
- May 31, 2015, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place
- Ismay, MT
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N9987JCessna T188C
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 27, 2015
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- FAA FSDO
- FAA report
- 20150531007059A
- Case key
- 91281
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's incorrect action to continue the takeoff when he failed to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Findings · 5
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he had successfully flown five aerial application flights prior to the accident flight with loads that were only half of capacity. This make/model airplane was new to the pilot, but he felt comfortable with the airplane having accumulated about 15 hours at the time of the accident. During the takeoff roll, the airplane hit a bump about halfway down the runway, and started to porpoise. The pilot stated that he started losing directional control, and applied the brakes. After regaining control, the airplane was not aligned with the runway; however, he continued the takeoff, thinking that the airplane was going to fly. The airplane subsequently departed the runway surface, collided with a three-strand wire fence, and bounced across a dike. The collision with the fence damaged the landing gear, and the airplane skidded to a stop. Both wings, both main landing gear, and the engine mount sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he had successfully flown five aerial application flights prior to the accident flight with loads that were only half of capacity. This make/model airplane was new to the pilot, but he felt comfortable with the airplane having accumulated about 15 hours at the time of the accident. During the takeoff roll, the airplane hit a bump about halfway down the runway, and started to porpoise. The pilot stated that he started losing directional control, and applied the brakes. After regaining control, the airplane was not aligned with the runway; however, he continued the takeoff, thinking that the airplane was going to fly. The airplane subsequently departed the runway surface, collided with a three-strand wire fence, and bounced across a dike. The collision with the fence damaged the landing gear, and the airplane skidded to a stop. Both wings, both main landing gear, and the engine mount sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9987J
- Reported as
- Cessna T188C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- T18803916T
- Built
- 1982
- Airframe hours
- 6,455
- Engine
- Continental Motors TSIO-520, 310 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Monte Reder, doing business as Reder Ag Air
- Registered owner
- Baldwin Ranch Co
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 22, 2015 · 15 hours before
- Departed
- Ismay, MT
- Destination
- MLS · Miles City, MT
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- PVT · Baldwin Ranch Strip
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 59
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- March 22, 2014
- Seat
- Single
- Flight hours
- 5,525 total · 15 in this make and model · 5,525 as pilot in command · 196 in the last 90 days · 70 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 330° at 26 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- KBHK
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 13, 2015, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.5 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.