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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

April 15, 1983 · Cessna 188B · N9961J

Modesto, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Modesto, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N9961J
Operator
My Ranch Flying Sevice
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA466

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING TAKEOFF AND PULLED THE TAILWHEEL OUT OF THE EMPENNAGE. THE PLT SAID THE DUMP VALVEFAILED TO WORK OR 'STRUCK' SO HE COULD NOT JETTISON THE LOAD. HE FELT THE NEED TO 'DUMP' WHEN THE ACFT HIT A 'SOFTSPOT' IN THE GRAVEL AND DIRT RWY WHICH WAS SOFT AND MUDDY IN SPOTS. THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH 20 GALLONS OF FUEL AND 170 GALLONS OF CHEMICALS. AFTER THE COLLISION THE PLT MANEUVERED BACK TO THE RWY AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER MISHAP.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING TAKEOFF AND PULLED THE TAILWHEEL OUT OF THE EMPENNAGE. THE PLT SAID THE DUMP VALVEFAILED TO WORK OR 'STRUCK' SO HE COULD NOT JETTISON THE LOAD. HE FELT THE NEED TO 'DUMP' WHEN THE ACFT HIT A 'SOFTSPOT' IN THE GRAVEL AND DIRT RWY WHICH WAS SOFT AND MUDDY IN SPOTS. THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH 20 GALLONS OF FUEL AND 170 GALLONS OF CHEMICALS. AFTER THE COLLISION THE PLT MANEUVERED BACK TO THE RWY AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER MISHAP.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 PST
Nearest AirportYandell Ranch (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length2640 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN9961J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMy Ranch Flying Sevice
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 46 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data