On August 27, 1984, a Cessna A188B (registration N4797Q) operated by Willard Kiehm was involved in an aviation accident near Delavan, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to fly beneath powerlines after the aircraft failed to climb rapidly enough on takeoff, which resulted in contact with the wires. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot elected to fly under powerlines after the aircraft failed to climb rapidly enough on takeoff, resulting in contact with the lowest wire before a safe landing in a field.
What happened
During the initial phase of flight following takeoff, the pilot reported that the aircraft was unable to achieve a sufficient rate of climb to clear overhead powerlines. Faced with this performance limitation, the pilot made the decision to navigate beneath the wires rather than attempting to climb over them and risking an aerodynamic stall.
As the aircraft passed under the obstruction, the propeller, windshield, and vertical stabilizer struck the lowest wire. Despite the impact damage, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft and successfully completed the flight by landing in a nearby field.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to fly beneath powerlines after the aircraft failed to climb rapidly enough on takeoff, which resulted in contact with the wires.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 27 Aug 1984 Cessna A188B accident near Delavan, MN?
The pilot elected to fly under powerlines after the aircraft failed to climb rapidly enough on takeoff, resulting in contact with the lowest wire before a safe landing in a field.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Aug 1984 involved a Cessna A188B, registration N4797Q, operated by Willard Kiehm, at Delavan, MN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's decision to fly beneath powerlines after the aircraft failed to climb rapidly enough on takeoff, which resulted in contact with the wires.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…