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NTSB Report
August 27, 1985 · Cessna A188B · N731LX
Rayville, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rayville, LA
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N731LX
Operator
Marcus Covington
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LRD04
THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A COTTON FLD DURING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WHICH OCCURRED ON TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS TEST FLYING THE ACFT IN ANTICIPATION OF POSSIBLY PURCHASING IT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN APRX 1/2 THE WAY DOWN THE RWY THE ACFT DID NOT APPEAR AS THOUGH IT WOULD CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF AND DUMP THE 110 GALLON LOAD OF WATER ON BOARD. UPON CROSSING THE END OF THE RWY AT AN ALT OF 10 TO 20 FT AGL, THE PLT INITIATED A TURN TO AVOID THE TREES. DURING THE TURN THE PLT INTENDED TO DUMP THE LOAD, BUT HE INADVERTANTLY DEPLOYED THE FLAPS. THE ACFT HEN SETTLED INTO THE COTTON FLD. THE ACFT OWNER STATED THE PLT WAS BRIEFED ON TAKEOFF DISTANCES AND THE ACFT PERFORMANCE, HOWEVER, HE FAILED TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RWY FOR THE TAKEOFF.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A COTTON FLD DURING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WHICH OCCURRED ON TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS TEST FLYING THE ACFT IN ANTICIPATION OF POSSIBLY PURCHASING IT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN APRX 1/2 THE WAY DOWN THE RWY THE ACFT DID NOT APPEAR AS THOUGH IT WOULD CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF AND DUMP THE 110 GALLON LOAD OF WATER ON BOARD. UPON CROSSING THE END OF THE RWY AT AN ALT OF 10 TO 20 FT AGL, THE PLT INITIATED A TURN TO AVOID THE TREES. DURING THE TURN THE PLT INTENDED TO DUMP THE LOAD, BUT HE INADVERTANTLY DEPLOYED THE FLAPS. THE ACFT HEN SETTLED INTO THE COTTON FLD. THE ACFT OWNER STATED THE PLT WAS BRIEFED ON TAKEOFF DISTANCES AND THE ACFT PERFORMANCE, HOWEVER, HE FAILED TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RWY FOR THE TAKEOFF.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportCovington (1nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN731LX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMarcus Covington
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO