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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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July 18, 1995 · Cessna 188B · N731EM

Allendale, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Allendale, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N731EM
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA138

DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OVER A FARMER'S FIELD, THE PILOT WAS FLYING UNDER POWER LINES. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK A GUY WIRE, 12 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN AT THE END OF THE FIELD.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE GUY WIRE.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 1995, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N731EM was substantially damaged following a collision with electrical lines and the terrain near Allendale, South Carolina. The commercial pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 by Robert McMillan Jr. of Waynesboro, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, aerial application flight. The flight departed Allendale, South Carolina at an undetermined time. The aircraft was flying under power lines at the end of a field during a spray swath. The airplane struck a guy wire 12 feet above the ground, protruding from a utility pole. The airplane's left wing struck the guy wire, causing the aircraft to collide with trees at the end of the field, and impact the terrain. An autopsy of Mr. Spruce was performed on July 19, 1995 by Dr. Kim A. Collins, Forensic Pathology Department, Medical University of South Carolina. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma. A toxicology examination of Mr. Spruce was performed by Dr. Kim A Collins, Forensic Pathology Department, Medical University of South Carolina. The toxicology report was negative for the use of alcohol or drugs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN731EM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data