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NTSB Report
June 14, 1988 · Cessna 188B · N731CD
Dighton, KS
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Dighton, KS
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N731CD
Operator
Wendler Air Ag
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC88LA110
DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PLT SAID THAT AS HE INITIATED LIFTOFF, THE ACFT TURNED TO THE LEFT AND HE FELT HE HAD NO RUDDER CONTROL. HE HIT A FENCE ON THE APT BOUNDARY, CONTINUED, DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD, HIT A TREE, AND LANDED IN A FIELD ADJACENT TO A HIGHWAY. A KANSAS STATE HIGHWAY PATROLMAN STATED HE DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT. THE PLT WENT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES BUT LEFT PRIOR TO RECEIVING TREATMENT. HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES ALSO MADE MENTION OF THE ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT. THE PLT LEFT THE AREA IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTING THE HOSPITAL AND COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR TOXICOLOGY TESTS.
Full Narrative
DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PLT SAID THAT AS HE INITIATED LIFTOFF, THE ACFT TURNED TO THE LEFT AND HE FELT HE HAD NO RUDDER CONTROL. HE HIT A FENCE ON THE APT BOUNDARY, CONTINUED, DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD, HIT A TREE, AND LANDED IN A FIELD ADJACENT TO A HIGHWAY. A KANSAS STATE HIGHWAY PATROLMAN STATED HE DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT. THE PLT WENT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES BUT LEFT PRIOR TO RECEIVING TREATMENT. HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES ALSO MADE MENTION OF THE ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT. THE PLT LEFT THE AREA IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTING THE HOSPITAL AND COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR TOXICOLOGY TESTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 MDT
Nearest AirportDIGHTON (1nm SSE)
Runway18
Runway Length2900 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN731CD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWendler Air Ag
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC