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NTSB Report
July 13, 1984 · Cessna T188C · N9951J
Brawley, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Brawley, CA
Aircraft
Cessna T188C
Tail Number
N9951J
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FA390
THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A DIRT STRIP. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT WAS 'OVER-GROSS' AND THAT IT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE PLT HAD USED FULL FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF AND WHEN THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB HE REACHED FOR THE DUMP OR LOAD JETTISON HANDLE AND GRABBED THE FLAP HANDLE INSTEAD. BY THE TIME HE REALIZED HIS ERROR THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID HIS CHECKOUT PLT TOLD HIM TO USE FULL FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. THIS WAS DENIED BY THE CHECK PLT. THE ACFT MANUAL RECOMMENDS 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS FOR SHORT FIELD TAKEOFFS ONLY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A DIRT STRIP. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT WAS 'OVER-GROSS' AND THAT IT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE PLT HAD USED FULL FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF AND WHEN THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB HE REACHED FOR THE DUMP OR LOAD JETTISON HANDLE AND GRABBED THE FLAP HANDLE INSTEAD. BY THE TIME HE REALIZED HIS ERROR THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID HIS CHECKOUT PLT TOLD HIM TO USE FULL FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. THIS WAS DENIED BY THE CHECK PLT. THE ACFT MANUAL RECOMMENDS 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS FOR SHORT FIELD TAKEOFFS ONLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:30 PDT
Nearest AirportEMANUEL (1nm SSW)
Runway0
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna T188C
Tail NumberN9951J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-T · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time10:30
Weather SourceWFAC