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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 1, 2011 · Cessna A188 B · N5851G

Palouse, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 1, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Palouse, WA
Aircraft
Cessna A188 B
Tail Number
N5851G
Operator
Dales Flying Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11LA181

The pilot reported that he was on his second pass applying dry fertilizer to a field during an aerial application flight. He banked to the right away from steeply rising terrain. During the turn, the resultant loss of lift from the banked turn and gusting wind carried the airplane toward trees at the edge of the field. Despite the pilot's efforts to maneuver away from the trees, the airplane collided with them.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from obstacles during a low-level aerial application maneuver.

Full Narrative

On April 1, 2011, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N5851G, collided with terrain during an aerial application flight near Palouse, Washington. Dale’s Flying Service was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage from impact forces. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was on his second pass applying dry fertilizer to a field, which had steeply rising terrain of a ridge line at the end of his run. During the turn out, he indicated that the loss of lift from his right bank and gusty wind conditions carried the airplane toward trees at the edge of the field. The airplane did not have enough power to climb over the trees, and despite the pilot's efforts to maneuver away, the airplane collided with the trees.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188 B
Tail NumberN5851G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDales Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental Motors, Inc · IO-520D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 37 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data