Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 188 near Hearne, TX — 2014-08-16

Final reportCEN14LA480
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Date
2014-08-16
Location
Hearne, TX, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 188
Registration
N878C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a crop.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was using the agricultural airplane to apply herbicide to a milo crop field. The pilot reported that, as the airplane passed low over the field, the airplane's underside contacted the heads of the milo. The airplane's left wing impacted a wire fence and a metal post, continued across a farm road, and ground-looped. The pilot reported that there were no power-related or mechanical anomalies before impact. During an examination of the airplane and engine, no anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation. .

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flying too low over the crop field.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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