Casualties unknown

Pilot Crashes Aircraft During Crop Dusting Run After Gear Strike (N2087J)

Devils Lake, ND, US

On June 8, 1982, a Cessna 188 (registration N2087J) operated by WM F. Wakefield was involved in an aviation accident near Devils Lake, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a rock pile while maneuvering at low altitude during a crop dusting run. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot conducting a swath run at dusk struck a rock pile with his main landing gear, leading to a belly landing that resulted in the aircraft flipping over.

What happened

The incident occurred during agricultural aviation operations at dusk. The pilot initiated a crop dusting run by maneuvering the aircraft beneath a set of overhead wires. As the aircraft passed under these wires, one of the main landing gear struts struck the top of a nearby rock pile.

Following the impact, the pilot believed that both main landing gear assemblies had failed. Consequently, he decided to execute a belly landing in a slough. During this emergency landing sequence, the aircraft initially touched down on the remaining functional gear before rolling over onto its back.

The investigation

The narrative focuses on the immediate mechanical interaction between the aircraft and the terrain. The primary event was the contact between the main landing gear and the rock pile during the low-altitude pass under wires.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a rock pile while maneuvering at low altitude during a crop dusting run.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020917X03200. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.