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September 2, 1993 · Cessna A188B · N21861

Three Forks, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Three Forks, MT
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N21861
Operator
Ferguson William R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA93LA188

WHILE MANEUVERING IN PREPARATION FOR A SPRAY RUN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER BUT JETTISONED ONLY 30 TO 40 OF THE REMAINING 100 TO 110 GALLONS OF HIS CHEMICAL LOAD. A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 6000 FEET EXISTED AT THE TIME. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED RESULTING IN A STALL/MUSH. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPLETELY JETTISON HIS LOAD WERE FACTORS.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 1993, at approximately 1512 hours mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna A188B "AgWagon," N21861, registered to Agwagons, Inc., and being operated and flown by William R. Ferguson, a certificated commercial pilot, collided with terrain while applying Roundup over an agricultural field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot suffered serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The aerial application flight was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR137 and had departed a field near the accident site at approximately 1503 hours. The aircraft departed with 20 to 25 gallons of fuel and 140 gallons of chemical. The pilot reported that while maneuvering in preparation for a spray run "an area of down air was encountered." He stated that he increased propeller RPM to maximum and "the throttle was brought up." The pilot reported that 100 to 110 gallons of chemical remained at the time of the event and that he dumped approximately 30 to 40 additional gallons. The pilot reported that "before anymore load could be dumped, the ground was impacted in a flat, level attitude." During an interview with an FAA Inspector, the pilot stated that "he dumped part of his load, applied full power, but the aircraft continued to mush out." Additionally, he reported that there was no indication of any malfunction with the aircraft (refer to attached FAA Form 1360-33).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:12 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN21861
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFerguson William R
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data