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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

October 19, 2000 · Cessna 188B · N53211

Stanton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Stanton, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N53211
Operator
Knox Aerial Spraying
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW01LA012

According to the pilot and a witness, he was spraying a field as part of the federally sponsored boll weevil eradication program. The pilot was flying south on his final pass to trim the edge of the field, when the airplane's right wing contacted unmarked power lines which are 80 feet agl. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground, the wings separated from the airframe, and the airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that the 'trim was intended to be accomplished beneath overhead power lines.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the power lines, while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 2000, at 1125 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B agricultural airplane, N53211, was destroyed when it impacted power lines and the ground while maneuvering near Stanton, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual doing business as Knox Aerial Spraying Inc., of Honey Grove, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 aerial application flight, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Stanton Municipal Airport, Stanton, Texas, at 1000. According to the pilot and a witness, the pilot was spraying a field, which was located three miles southeast of Stanton, as part of the federally sponsored boll weevil eradication program. The pilot was flying south on his final pass to trim the edge of the field, when the airplane's right wing contacted unmarked power lines that were 80 feet agl. The pilot stated that the "trim was intended to be accomplished beneath overhead power lines." Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground, the wings separated from the airframe, and the airplane came to rest inverted. A review of the Dallas-Fort Worth Sectional Aeronautical Chart revealed that the power lines are depicted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN53211
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKnox Aerial Spraying
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data