Casualties unknown

Agricultural Flagger Injured During Spraying Operation (N731XJ)

Hollandale, MS, US

On June 13, 1984, a Cessna A188B (registration N731XJ) was involved in an aviation accident near Hollandale, MS. 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 farm hand serving as a flagger for crop spraying aircraft was injured after walking parallel to crop rows with her back to an approaching plane. The flagger had not been briefed on where to begin counting rows that day.

Background

Two aircraft were spraying the same field. A farm hand was used as a flagger to mark the last crop row sprayed. The flagger had performed this role for the previous two seasons and had been briefed on flagging operations by the pilot, who was also the farm owner. However, on the day of the incident, the flagger was not briefed on where to begin counting crop rows.

The Incident

The flagger was positioned too close to the field approach end to walk clear of the aircraft once the spray run had begun. The pilot of the second aircraft began the first run after the first aircraft completed its first swath. After passing over trees that lined the approach end of the field, the pilot looked away from the flagger to spot the first aircraft. When the pilot looked back, the flagger was walking parallel to the crop rows with her back to the approaching aircraft.

Injuries

A medical report indicated that the flagger's injuries were to her right side.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X39815. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.