N731ST

Substantial
None

CESSNA A188S/N: 18803125T

Accident Details

Date
Friday, June 24, 2011
NTSB Number
CEN11CA438
Location
Castroville, TX
Event ID
20110703X23630
Coordinates
29.338333, -98.850555
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 obstacle clearance during the agricultural spraying flight.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N731ST
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
18803125T
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1978
Model / ICAO
A188C188
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TORKELSON CHARLES A
Address
BANDERA STAR RT BOX 103
Status
Deregistered
City
HONDO
State / Zip Code
TX 78861
Country
United States

Analysis

The commercial pilot was making his first spraying pass of the day when the agricultural airplane struck and damaged a center pivot irrigation system. The impact damaged the irrigation system, and the right main landing gear and tail wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane immediately started a descending bank to the right. The pilot reported that the right aileron was jammed in the full up position and control stick movements had no affect on the right aileron. He was able to use full power, full left aileron, and full left rudder to regain partial control and return to the airport for an emergency landing. As the airplane touched down the left main landing gear separated and the airplane came to rest upright with resulting substantial damage to the fuselage and flight controls. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies prior to impact with the irrigation system. He also reported his forward vision was partially obscured by chemical spray on the windshield.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN11CA438