FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Aerial Application Aircraft Crashes After Brief Inverted Flight (N21871)

Dixon, CA, US

On September 30, 1988, a Cessna A188B (registration N21871) was involved in an aviation accident near Dixon, CA. 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

An agricultural aircraft crashed in an open field after witnesses observed it briefly inverted and out of control. The pilot had completed a chemical application south of the site. No mechanical failures were found, and the hopper was empty.

Accident Details

The pilot of an agricultural aircraft had just completed aerial application of a field located several miles south of the accident site. Witnesses reported hearing sounds from the aircraft. One witness observed the aircraft momentarily inverted and described it as being "out of control." The aircraft then struck the ground in an upright, wings-level, nose-down attitude in an open field. A fire broke out after impact.

Investigation Findings

Investigators examined the aircraft's structure, flight controls, powerplant, and systems. No evidence of malfunction or failure was found in any of these components. The aircraft's hopper was empty of chemicals at the time of the accident. The operator stated they had no explanation for why the aircraft was at the accident location.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26844. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.