Casualties unknown

Aerial Application Aircraft Damaged After Tire Failure and Ground Loop (N731GG)

Stonington, CO, US

On August 25, 1987, a Cessna A188B (registration N731GG) operated by Bill Witten was involved in an aviation accident near Stonington, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to avoid an obstruction on the runway, which resulted in a tire blowout and subsequent loss of control. 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

During an aerial application flight, the pilot landed on a road to visit a customer. A left main landing gear tire blew out during touchdown, causing the aircraft to ground loop and sustain significant wing damage.

What happened

The pilot reported that he had completed an aerial application flight and landed on a road to visit with a customer. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear tire blew out. The aircraft subsequently ground looped. The left main landing gear collapsed during the ground loop, and both wings were damaged. The pilot stated that the left main tire evidently impacted with an obstruction while spraying.

The investigation

The investigation revealed that the left main landing gear collapsed during the ground loop. Both wings sustained damage as a result of the incident. The pilot indicated that the left main tire evidently impacted with an obstruction while spraying.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to avoid an obstruction on the runway, which resulted in a tire blowout and subsequent loss of control.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31763. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.