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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 13, 1995 · Cessna A188B · N4940R

Muscle Shoals, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Muscle Shoals, AL
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N4940R
Operator
James L Hale
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA95LA204

THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED SPRAYING COTTON FIELDS. AS THE FLIGHT MADE AN APPROACH FROM NORTH TO SOUTH TOWARD A FIELD, A WITNESS OBSERVED A FLASH AND THEN SAW THE BURNING WRECKAGE OF THE AIRCRAFT. EXAMINATION SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT HAD COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE-AND-AVOID ELECTRICAL POWER LINES, WHILE APPROACHING A FIELD FOR AERIAL APPLICATION.

Full Narrative

On August 13, 1995, about 1720 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N4940R, registered to Air Ag Service, Inc., struck wires and crashed near Muscle Shoals, Alabama, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Florence, Alabama, about 1700. A witness observed the aircraft spraying cotton fields. As the aircraft made a pass from north to south he observed a flash out of the corner of his eye and then observed the flames coming from the aircraft wreckage. Examination of the crash site by an FAA inspector showed the vertical stabilizer of the aircraft had contacted an electrical transmission line as the aircraft approached a cotton field to spray. The aircraft crashed about 50 feet from the electrical lines and a postcrash fire erupted and destroyed the aircraft. Postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Kenneth E. Warner, M.D., Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt trauma injuries. No findings which could be considered causal to the accident were reported. Postmortem toxicology testing on specimens obtained from the pilot was performed by Dr. Dennis V. Canfield, FAA Toxicology Unit, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for ethanol alcohol, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. An NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (6120.1/2), was sent to representatives of the operator. The completed report was not returned to NTSB. Logbook records on the aircraft and pilot were requested by FAA and NTSB following the accident. The operator did not produce the logbook records for examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN4940R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames L Hale
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 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 5 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data