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NTSB Report
July 22, 1989 · Cessna A188B · N5618G
Town Creek, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Town Creek, AL
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N5618G
Operator
Brooks Agricultural Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89DKJ07
THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FROM AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT TO REFUEL AND RELOAD CHEMICALS. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED HE FLEW OVER THE RUNWAY, WEST TO EAST, AT AN EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE. AT THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY THRESHOLD, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED STEEPLY AND STALLED DURING THE TURN TO REVERSE COURSE FOR LANDING. IT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT BEFORE COMPLETING THE COURSE REVERSAL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 1/8 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PILOT IMPAIRMENT. NO FLIGHT CONTROL NOR ENGINE POWER DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE DURING THE SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATIONS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INADVERTENT STALL AT AN ALTITUDE INADEQUATE TO EFFECT A SAFE RECOVERY.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FROM AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT TO REFUEL AND RELOAD CHEMICALS. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED HE FLEW OVER THE RUNWAY, WEST TO EAST, AT AN EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE. AT THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY THRESHOLD, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED STEEPLY AND STALLED DURING THE TURN TO REVERSE COURSE FOR LANDING. IT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT BEFORE COMPLETING THE COURSE REVERSAL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 1/8 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PILOT IMPAIRMENT. NO FLIGHT CONTROL NOR ENGINE POWER DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE DURING THE SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:03 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN5618G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBrooks Agricultural Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC