N9076R

On May 26, 2000, at 1615 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9076R, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged on impact with crops and terrain during takeoff roll at a private field, near Sublette Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating under a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local aerial application flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot, in a written statement, said, "The plane was about ready for lift off when I hit a rut causing the plane to pull sharply to the left. I pulled back on the stick to lift off, but at the same time the left boom hit the wheat, causing the plane to rotate approximately 11/2 turns counter clockwise just above the wheat. The plane traveled approximately 400 feet through the air, hitting tail section first (the engine still running full R.P.M.'s I immediately pulled the mixture and shut down the engine. There was no prop strike, no injuries to pilot but major damage to the aircraft." The pilot later stated, "Probable Cause of Accident: Pilot assumed too much; needed to check things out better, especially the runway. Probable cause of accident due to pilot error."