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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

October 2, 1998 · Cessna 188B · N4832R

Tellasse, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Tellasse, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N4832R
Operator
William Harry Mc Gowan
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA002

The pilot was approaching from the northeast for a swath spray, waiting to fly over power lines that intersected a cotton field at the arrival end. The pilot thought that he was clear to push over into the cotton field to start his spray run. However, he was not completely clear of the power lines and on the push over became entangled with the ridge wire that runs from one pole to another giving the poles stability. The wire tangled between the propeller blades and around the propeller shaft slowing the engine to a stop. While tethered by the cable the aircraft fell approximately 250 to 300 feet, striking a slope and turning almost 180 degrees from the direction of impact.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility line while conducting a swath run.

Full Narrative

On October 2, 1998 about 0835 Central Daylight Time, a Cessna 188B agricultural airplane, N4832R, collided with a high tension line and subsequently the ground while spraying a field in Tellasse, Alabama. The airplane was operated by Morris Flying Services, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight originated from Shorter, Alabama, at 0750. According to the FAA Inspector, who interviewed the pilot, the pilot was approaching from the northeast for a swath spray, waiting to fly over power lines that intersected a cotton field at the arrival end. The pilot thought that he was clear to push over into the cotton field to start his spray run. However, he was not completely clear of the power lines and on the push over became entangled with the ridge wire that runs from one pole to another giving the poles stability. The wire tangled between the propeller blades and around the propeller shaft slowing the engine to a stop. While tethered by the cable the aircraft fell approximately 250 to 300 feet, striking a slope and turning almost 180 degrees from the direction of impact, substantially damaging the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:35 CDT
Nearest Airport10nm S
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN4832R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam Harry Mc Gowan
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 285
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data