On May 19, 1992, a Cessna 188A (registration N9946G) operated by Hatfield Spraying Services was involved in an aviation accident near Imlay City, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's premature lift-off during takeoff at an inadequate airspeed, which prevented the airplane from attaining sufficient airspeed and climb rate to fly out of ground effect, resulting in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A crop dusting airplane stalled shortly after takeoff from an unimproved field because the pilot lifted off at an inadequate airspeed, preventing the aircraft from climbing out of ground effect.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a crop dusting operation using an airplane on an unimproved field. During the takeoff phase, the pilot prematurely lifted the aircraft off the runway surface. The lift-off occurred at an airspeed that was insufficient for safe flight operations.
Because the aircraft did not attain a sufficient airspeed and subsequent climb rate, it remained within ground effect rather than climbing out of it. As the pilot attempted to continue the climb, the airplane stalled. Shortly after the stall occurred, the airplane collided with the ground.
Probable cause
The pilot's premature lift-off during takeoff at an inadequate airspeed, which prevented the airplane from attaining sufficient airspeed and climb rate to fly out of ground effect, resulting in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground.
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