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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

March 20, 1988 · Cessna 188B · N21653

Manter, KS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Manter, KS
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N21653
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC88LA064

WHILE CONDUCTING A TEAM AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE TRAILING AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TERRAIN WITH THE RIGHT WING TIP, ROTATED IN A FLAT ATTITUDE ABOUT 2 TURNS, AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE PILOT SAID, WHILE IN A DOWNWIND PROCEDURE TURNAROUND, INTO THE SETTING SUN, HE GLANCED DOWN TO VERIFY HIS HOPPER LOAD. HE SAID HE ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE LEAD AERIAL APPLICATOR, LOST ALTITUDE AND STRUCK THE TERRAIN. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THE BURNING ACFT, BUT SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE PLT SAID HE FELT A LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

WHILE CONDUCTING A TEAM AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE TRAILING AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TERRAIN WITH THE RIGHT WING TIP, ROTATED IN A FLAT ATTITUDE ABOUT 2 TURNS, AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE PILOT SAID, WHILE IN A DOWNWIND PROCEDURE TURNAROUND, INTO THE SETTING SUN, HE GLANCED DOWN TO VERIFY HIS HOPPER LOAD. HE SAID HE ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE LEAD AERIAL APPLICATOR, LOST ALTITUDE AND STRUCK THE TERRAIN. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THE BURNING ACFT, BUT SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE PLT SAID HE FELT A LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN21653
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
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 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 13 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 12 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data