Pilot Debrief

Cessna T188 near Dustin, OK — 2020-07-10

Final reportCEN20LA271
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Date
2020-07-10
Location
Dustin, OK, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
Cessna T188
Registration
N2690J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s continued takeoff without ensuring obstacles could be avoided due to his use of a sedating medication, which likely diminished his reaction time and flying performance.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting his second aerial application flight of the day. According to a witness, the airplane had been topped off with fuel before the first flight and 165 gallons of chemical just before the accident flight. The witness stated that the airplane became airborne later than he expected. After departure, the airplane angled left from the runway heading and its wingtip impacted a power pole. It then hit power lines and another pole before coming to rest inverted in a draw. A postaccident examination found no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology testing indicated the pilot had the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in his blood at the time of the accident. The levels detected were above the therapeutic level for diphenhydramine. Given the pilot’s years of experience and familiarity with the aircraft, it is reasonable to consider that his reaction time and flying performance were diminished due to the use of sedating medication, which resulted in the impact with the power pole.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after realizing the aircraft was overloaded.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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