Cessna A188B AGWagon/AGTruck, N90834: Accident occurred July 31, 2020 in Memphis, Scotland County, Missouri

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; St. Louis, Missouri 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Wood's Flying Service LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N90834

Location: Memphis, Missouri 

Accident Number: CEN20CA320

Date & Time: July 31, 2020, 07:05 Local

Registration: N90834

Aircraft: Cessna A188

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other 

Injuries: 1 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot reported that he had just started flying this airplane five days before the accident as a contract pilot. Over the past four days, the operator had the airplane on the "ready pad" with all of the tie-downs and gust locks already removed. On the day of the accident, the airplane was tied down with all of the gust locks still installed. Prior to takeoff, the pilot completed a preflight inspection but did not remove the rudder gust lock. During the takeoff roll, the pilot had to use the brakes to keep the airplane centered on the runway, which made for a much longer takeoff roll. The airplane dragged in the 10 ft high corn off the end of the runway and lost lift, so the pilot made a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll the airplane collided with a tree and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He stated that he should have completed a more thorough preflight inspection.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot did not remove the rudder gust lock during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with a tree.

Findings

Personnel issues Preflight inspection - Pilot

Aircraft Directional control - Attain/maintain not possible

Factual Information

History of Flight

Initial climb Loss of control in flight

Initial climb Collision during takeoff/land

Initial climb Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)

Initial climb Off-field or emergency landing

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 

Age: 59,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land

Seat Occupied: Single

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: June 22, 2020

Occupational Pilot: Yes 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: November 11, 2018

Flight Time: 2153 hours (Total, all aircraft), 153 hours (Total, this make and model), 2153 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 211 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 159 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 

Registration: N90834

Model/Series: A188 B

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1979 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)

Serial Number: 18803322T

Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel

Seats: 1

Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 15, 2020 Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

Time Since Last Inspection: 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 1531.5 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors

ELT: Not installed 

Engine Model/Series: IO-520-D

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 300 Horsepower

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KIRK,965 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 24 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 10:55 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 223°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 40° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 17°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Memphis, MO

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Memphis, MO 

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 07:03 Local

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport

Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf

Airport Elevation: 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry;Vegetation

Runway Used: 18 IFR

Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 3600 ft / 200 ft 

VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Minor 

Latitude, Longitude: 40.396945,-92.181663(est)