N4412Q

Substantial
None

Cessna 188AS/N: 18800812

Accident Details

Date
Monday, July 16, 2007
NTSB Number
CHI07CA218
Location
New Hartford, MO
Event ID
20070803X01101
Coordinates
39.150001, -91.216667
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tree line during the turn between aerial application passes. The low altitude, the downdraft encountered by the pilot, and the trees were contributing factors.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
18800812
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1971
Model / ICAO
188AC188
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
1
FAA Model
A188A

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
WOODS FLYING SERVICE LLC
Address
22636 STATE ROUTE M
City
MEMPHIS
State / Zip Code
MO 63555-4359
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during an agricultural application pass. The pilot stated that he had completed one pass and was turning back to make another when he encountered a "thermal." The airplane was approximately 150 feet above ground level in a 45-degree "plus" banked turn at the time. He noted that as he started to rollout, the airplane began to "sink in what seem[ed] to be a thermal." The airplane was about 40 feet above and 250 feet in front of a tree line at the time of the encounter. The pilot stated: "I added full power [and] lowered the nose, [but] was unable to recover from the thermal." The airplane contacted the trees and "with all lift gone and more trees ahead," he elected to land in the cornfield. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI07CA218