Casualties unknown

Airplane Impacts Ground During Agricultural Application Turn (N4820Q)

Gothenburg, NE, US

On August 14, 1991, a Cessna A188D (registration N4820Q) operated by Fiese, Larry J was involved in an aviation accident near Gothenburg, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S ABRUPT HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE. 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 airplane impacted the ground after completing a turn to reverse direction during an aerial application swath run. Witnesses described steep, aggressive turns and extreme nose-high attitudes.

Accident Overview

An airplane involved in an aerial application operation impacted the ground as it completed a turn to reverse direction after a swath run. The accident occurred during a flight that witnesses described as involving several steep, aggressive maneuvers.

Witness Accounts

Multiple witnesses reported observing the airplane performing what they characterized as "hammerheads while spraying" and "flying like a stunt pilot." They described the aircraft executing steep turns and achieving extreme nose-high pitch attitudes during the flight prior to the accident.

Communication

Ground flagmen assisting with the aerial application were in radio communication with the pilot. According to reports, the pilot informed the flagmen that the airplane had stalled during the previous turn.

The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17791. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.