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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

July 15, 2000 · Cessna T188C · N9957J

Rock Dell, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rock Dell, MN
Aircraft
Cessna T188C
Tail Number
N9957J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA198

The aircraft was substantially damaged when it failed to clear crops on takeoff. In a written statement, the pilot stated, 'Took off from Austin at 3:30. Went to farm Hay field landed. Loaded plane with chemical (160 gal.) to spray a soybean field across the road. On the takeoff run got airborne but couldn't clear hill at end of field. Wind had died by then. Dumped part of the load but not soon enough. Tried to land in the field going up hill. Dirt was soft and plane veered left and nosed over and stopped.' Weather at Rochester, MN, reported at 1354, gave winds as 040 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported at 1454 were 080 degrees at 8 knots. Winds reported 2 minutes prior to the accident were 060 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported at 1654 were 090 degrees at 5 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the terrain.

Full Narrative

On July 15, 2000, at 1556 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N9957J, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft failed to clear the terrain on the takeoff from a private field near Rock Dell, Minnesota. The flight was operating under the provision of 14 CFR Part 137, and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injures. The local, aerial application flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot stated, "took off from Austin at 3:30. Went to farm Hay field landed. Loaded plane with chemical (160 gal.) to spray a soybean field across the road. On the takeoff run got airborne but couldn't clear hill at end of field. Wind had died by then. Dumped part of the load but not soon enough. Tried to land in the field going up hill. Dirt was soft and plane veered left and nosed over and stopped." Weather at Rochester, Minnesota, reported at 1354, gave winds as 040 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported at 1454 were 080 degrees at 8 knots. Winds reported 2 minutes prior to the accident were 060 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported at 1654 were 090 degrees at 5 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:56 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T188C
Tail NumberN9957J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 300

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data