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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 4, 1994 · Cessna T188C · N2535J

Angela, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Angela, MT
Aircraft
Cessna T188C
Tail Number
N2535J
Operator
Pluhar Dennis A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA152

DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL CAP ON THE WING WAS LOOSE AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FILLER CAP. THE PILOT OPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SOD RUNWAY WAS WET AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SLIDE AND GROUND LOOPED BEFORE COMING TO A STOP.

NTSB Probable Cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: WET TERRAIN AND INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT.

Full Narrative

On June 4, 1994, at 0600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N2535J, ground looped on takeoff from a private airstrip near Angela, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was loaded with 170 gallons of the herbicide 24D. There was no chemical spill. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane had just been fueled by the ground crew while he was loading the chemical. Prior to takeoff, the pilot stated that he checked the oil and drained the fuel pump but did not check the fuel filler caps. During the takeoff ground roll, just before lift off, the pilot noticed that the fuel cap on the right wing was loose and fuel was leaking from the filler cap. The pilot aborted the takeoff and applied the brakes. The pilot stated that the night before it had rained and the sod runway was wet. The brakes were not effective and the airplane began to slide to the side and eventually ground looped before coming to a stop.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:00 MDT
Nearest AirportHAGLOF (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T188C
Tail NumberN2535J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPluhar Dennis A
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520T · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data