Casualties unknown

Agricultural Aircraft Strikes Ground After Encountering Wind Shear (N4845Q)

Centre, AL, US

On September 2, 1992, a Cessna A188B (registration N4845Q) operated by Hoppe, Donald L. was involved in an aviation accident near Centre, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE THE TURBULENCE AND WIND SHEAR PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. 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 agricultural aircraft sustained structural damage after contacting the ground while spraying cotton fields. The pilot reported losing 20 knots of airspeed due to wind shear and 'rolling and turbulent' winds.

Incident Details

An agricultural pilot was spraying cotton fields for about an hour and was performing another pass when the accident occurred. The pilot reported encountering 'rolling and turbulent' winds near the tree lines. As he pulled the control stick aft to arrest the sink rate, the aircraft continued to descend.

The landing gear bogged down in the cotton, and the aircraft contacted the ground, resulting in structural damage to the airframe.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that just prior to the collision, he lost about 20 knots of airspeed due to wind shear. No other factors were reported.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15588. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.