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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 30, 1996 · Cessna A188B · N21744

Watford City, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Watford City, ND
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N21744
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA303

The automatic flagger jammed during an aerial application flight. The pilot elected to land on a road approximately 1 mile from the field he was spraying so that he could fix the flagger. The right main landing gear contacted a 'deep depression' on the shoulder of the road. The right main gear separated from the airplane allowing the propeller and right wing to contact the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing on a road.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 1996, at 0845 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N21744, collided with a ditch while landing on a road during an aerial application operation in Watford City, North Dakota. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Watford City Municipal Airport at 0815 cdt. The pilot reported that approximately one-half hour into the aerial application flight the automatic flagger jammed which prevented him from continuing the application. He elected to land on a road approximately 1 mile from the field he was spraying so that he could unjam the flagger. During the landing, the right main landing gear contacted a "deep depression" in the shoulder of the road. This resulted in the right main landing gear separating from the airplane. The propeller and right wing contacted the ground and the airplane slid approximately 100 feet prior to coming to a stop.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN21744
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data