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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

September 15, 1993 · Cessna A188B · N9523G

Waterville, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Waterville, WA
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N9523G
Operator
Johnson Air Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA93LA200

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH AN APPROXIMATE 100 FOOT HIGH POWER LINE. THE CANOPY AND THE TOP PORTION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND THE RUDDER SEPARATED UPON IMPACT WITH THE WIRES. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELLED A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE PITCHING UP STEEPLY THEN DESCENDING IN A LEFT TURN TO IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE POWERLINE.

Full Narrative

On September 15, 1993, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9523G, collided with power lines during an aerial application flight near Waterville, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire and the certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. The flight had originated from Waterville and was spraying a herbicide. Witnesses in the area reported that they had observed the airplane flying in the area for most of the day. The airplane was spraying a field and making passes under the high tension lines before pulling up to make another pass. During the last pass, the witnesses observed something come off the airplane as it passed under the lines. The airplane climbed steeply, then turned to the left descending rapidly and impacted the ground. A post crash fire ignited and consumed the airplane. Post crash inspection of the area revealed damage was noted to two of the 1.3 inch diameter wires. The wires were approximately 100 feet above ground level. The terrain was slightly rolling with short dry grass covering the ground. The airplane's canopy had separated as well as the top of the vertical stabilizer. Both areas indicated evidence of impact with the wires.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN9523G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohnson Air Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-D3B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data