1989-06-24: Cessna 188B — Holte, James K — Grygla, MN

Casualties unknown • Grygla, MN, US

Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT. TALL GRASS (HIGH VEGETATION) AT THE END OF THE STRIP WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID HE HAD USED THIS PVT STRIP ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, AND THAT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD ALREADY DISPENSED ABOUT 14 LOADS. ALSO, HE SAID THAT THE WIND HAD BECOME CALM, WHEREAS ON PREVIOUS TAKEOFFS, THERE WAS AN EXISTING WIND. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CONTACTED TALL GRASS AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP. A SPRAY BOOM CAUGHT THE TALL GRASS, THEN THE ACFT SPUN AROUND AND WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT IF THE GRASS AT THE END OF THE STRIP HAD BEEN MOWED, THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-06-24 Cessna 188B accident near Grygla, MN?

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID HE HAD USED THIS PVT STRIP ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, AND THAT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD ALREADY DISPENSED ABOUT 14 LOADS. ALSO, HE SAID THAT THE WIND HAD BECOME CALM, WHEREAS ON PREVIOUS TAKEOFFS, THERE WAS AN EXISTING WIND. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CONTACTED TALL GRASS AT…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-06-24 involved a Cessna 188B, registration N4724R, operated by Holte, James K, at Grygla, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT. TALL GRASS (HIGH VEGETATION) AT THE END OF THE STRIP WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28640. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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