On September 8, 1990, a Cessna 188B (registration N731NY) was involved in an aviation accident near Elizabeth City, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. EXISTING CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an agricultural flight takeoff, the pilot lowered the nose to gain speed, but the aircraft settled back, struck a ditch, entered a bean field, and ground looped. The pilot stated the aircraft was overloaded for conditions and reported crosswinds up to 15 knots.
Incident Overview
An agricultural application flight experienced a takeoff mishap when the pilot, approximately two feet above the ground, lowered the nose to accelerate. The aircraft, reportedly near maximum gross weight, settled back onto the runway. To avoid a dry canal bed near the departure end, the pilot maintained power and pulled back on the stick.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft then contacted a ditch, entered an adjacent bean field, and executed a ground loop. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. He stated that the aircraft was overloaded for the existing field conditions and noted crosswinds and gusts up to 15 knots.