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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 7, 1993 · Cessna 188 · N78516

Martin, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Martin, SD
Aircraft
Cessna 188
Tail Number
N78516
Operator
Lakota Nation Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA314

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ON AN EIGHTEEN FOOT WIDE GRAVEL ROADWAY. HE STATED '...AS SOON AS TAIL CAME UP, RIGHT WING DROPPED AND AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. LEFT BRAKE APPLIED TO STOP AIRCRAFT FROM TURNING RIGHT...CAUSED AIRCRAFT TO VEER LEFT 180 DEGREES.' THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED INTO A DITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.

Full Narrative

On August 7, 1993, approximately 1700 hours mountain daylight time, a Cessna 188, N78516, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the road into a ditch during an attempted takeoff. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137, and the accident occurred during takeoff. The pilot reported he pulled the airplane out of the hangar, refuelled, and performed a preflight inspection before he taxied to the 18 foot wide gravel road for takeoff. He stated everything seemed normal as he applied power for takeoff. The pilot stated "...Almost as soon as the tail came up, right wing dropped and aircraft veered to the right. Left brake applied to stop aircraft from turning right...caused aircraft to veer left 180 degrees, skid to right and slide into left ditch..." The pilot indicated periodic inspections of the roadway for foreign objects, tall weeds/grass, etc. might have prevented the accident. There was no evidence or claim of preimpact mechanical malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188
Tail NumberN78516
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLakota Nation Aviation
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 1Age 64 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 1 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data