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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 22, 1994 · Cessna A188 · N9879V

Cut Bank, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 22, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cut Bank, MT
Aircraft
Cessna A188
Tail Number
N9879V
Operator
H&H Aircraft Leasing
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA158

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF NORTHBOUND ON A TWO LANE, PAVED ROAD, WITH A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DRIFT RIGHT AND THE RIGHT WHEEL DROPPED INTO A DITCH ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. THE RIGHT WHEEL STRUT SEPARATED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE STRUT FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE CROSSWIND AND THE DITCH WERE FACTORS.

Full Narrative

On June 22, 1994, approximately 1000 hours mountain daylight time (mdt), a Cessna A188, N9879V, registered to and operated by H&H Aircraft Leasing, Inc., and being flown by Thomas R. Kiefer, a certificated commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft's right main landing gear strut separated during an attempted takeoff from a two lane, paved road at a spray site approximately 20 nautical miles west of Cut Bank, Montana. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was a rinse operation for the aircraft's spray system, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR137. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he initiated a takeoff to the north with a six to seven knot left quartering tailwind. During the roll the aircraft became airborne and then settled back onto the road and began to drift right. The pilot attempted to correct for the drift, but the right wheel rolled into the ditch along the east edge of the road. Shortly thereafter, the right wheel separated at a point several inches above the wheel axle. The FAA inspector reported seeing no evidence of fatigue at the fracture surface.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188
Tail NumberN9879V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorH&H Aircraft Leasing
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data