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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 20, 1992 · Cessna 188 · N5519S

Elba, AL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Elba, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 188
Tail Number
N5519S
Operator
Elba Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL92LA104

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION CERTIFICATION, AND WAS SPRAYING WATER. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT ON THE PILOT'S FIFTH PASS OF A FIELD, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE AIRPLANE THEN CLIMBED ABOUT 300 FEET, AND 'NOSE DIVED' INTO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBJECTS (TREES), AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR WAS THE TREES LOCATED IN THE PRACTICE AREA.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR AN UPCOMING AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION CERTIFICATION, AND WAS SPRAYING WATER. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT ON THE PILOT'S FIFTH PASS OF A FIELD, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE AIRPLANE THEN CLIMBED ABOUT 300 FEET, AND 'NOSE DIVED' INTO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:05 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188
Tail NumberN5519S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorElba Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data