N731ED

On September 9, 1993, at 0700 hours mountain daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N731ED, collided with a fence and came to rest in an open field shortly after take off from an airstrip near Ringling, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with approximately 110 gallons of the herbicide Roundup for the first flight of the day. The airstrip is short, therefore, a short field take off was performed. Power lines cross the end of the runway and normal procedures are to fly under the wires. The airplane lifted off normally at the end of the airstrip and was flown under the wires. The airplane then settled to the ground and collided with, and through a fence. The pilot dumped the herbicide and the airplane came to rest in an open barely field.

The pilot reported that the engine was producing full power and he was not aware of any mechanical failures or malfunctions.