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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

May 15, 1993 · Cessna A188A · N9901G

Decatur, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Decatur, TX
Aircraft
Cessna A188A
Tail Number
N9901G
Operator
Sitton Dwayne
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW93LA159

AFTER MAKING SEVERAL PASSES DISPENSING HERBICIDE, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A TREE AT ONE END OF THE FIELD. BECAUSE HE WAS FLYING UNDER POWER LINES, HE WAS UNABLE TO PULL UP OVER THE TREE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB SLIGHTLY AND BANKED RIGHT TO GET THE LEFT WING OVER THE TREE. HE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE INITIALLY BANKED TO THE RIGHT, BUT THEN LEVELED WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TREE AND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE TURBULENCE

Full Narrative

On Saturday, May 15, 1993, at approximately 1142 central daylight time, a Cessna A188A, N9901G, was destroyed when it collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering near Decatur, Texas. The airplane, operated by Aerial Spraying, and flown by an ATP rated pilot, was on a 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot stated that after making several passes dispensing herbicide on range land, he encountered a tree at one end of the field. Because he was flying under power lines, the pilot was unable to pull up over the tree. He stated that he attempted to climb slightly and bank to the right to get the left wing over the tree. He further stated that the airplane initially entered the right bank, but that turbulence caused the wings to level and the left one struck the tree. The pilot lost control and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:42 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188A
Tail NumberN9901G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSitton Dwayne
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 13 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data