1991-08-14: Cessna A188D — Fiese, Larry J — Gothenburg, NE

Casualties unknown • Gothenburg, NE, US

Probable cause

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.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND AS IT COMPLETED A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AFTER AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN. WITNESSES DESCRIBED SEVERAL STEEP, 'AGGRESSIVE' TURNS, AND EXTREME NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDES DURING THE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THEY REPORTED THE PILOT WAS 'DOING HAMMERHEADS WHILE SPRAYING...' AND 'FLYING LIKE A STUNT PILOT.' GROUND FLAGMEN ASSISTING WITH THE AERIAL APPLICATION WERE IN RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH THE PILOT. THE PILOT TOLD THEM THE AIRPLANE STALLED DURING THE PREVIOUS TURN.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-08-14 Cessna A188D accident near Gothenburg, NE?

THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND AS IT COMPLETED A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AFTER AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN. WITNESSES DESCRIBED SEVERAL STEEP, 'AGGRESSIVE' TURNS, AND EXTREME NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDES DURING THE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THEY REPORTED THE PILOT WAS 'DOING HAMMERHEADS WHILE SPRAYING...'…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-08-14 involved a Cessna A188D, registration N4820Q, operated by Fiese, Larry J, at Gothenburg, NE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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.

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.

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