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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

August 8, 1995 · Cessna 188T · N731MK

Town Creek, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Town Creek, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 188T
Tail Number
N731MK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA150

THE AG PILOT HAD BEEN OPERATING FROM A PAVED RUNWAY EARLIER IN THE MORNING, BUT LATER THAT MORNING HE MOVED THE SPRAYING OPERATION TO A WET, SOD AIRSTRIP. REALIZING THAT THE SOD WAS SOFT AND WET, THE PILOT REDUCED THE CHEMICAL LOAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE SOD CONDITION. DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF RUN, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT ON THE RUNWAY AND NEVER OBTAINED FLYING SPEED. THE PILOT JETTISONED THE CHEMICAL LOAD, AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 2150-FOOT RUNWAY INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CHECK THE RUNWAY CONDITION PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE SOFT RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 1995, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 188T, N731MK, collided with the ground during a takeoff attempt from a private sod airstrip near Town Creek, Alabama. The aerial application flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from the sod airstrip. According to the pilot, he landed at the sod airstrip, and loaded the aircraft with 135 gallons of chemicals instead of the routine 150 gallons. The chemical load was reduced because of recent rain at the airstrip which left the runway wet. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a soft spot on the runway surface which slowed the ground roll. The airplane never reached flying speed, but continued off the departure end of the runway. As the airplane rolled into the cotton field, the pilot aborted the takeoff, and jettisoned the chemical load. No aircraft mechanical problems were reported by the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188T
Tail NumberN731MK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520D-23B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data