Casualties unknown

Aerial Application Aircraft Crashes After Hitting Sign While Avoiding Power Lines (N92427)

Waynesboro, GA, US

On September 10, 1992, a Cessna A188B (registration N92427) operated by Smith Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Waynesboro, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a traffic sign while maneuvering to avoid power lines during an aerial application operation. 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 collided with a traffic sign near a soybean field while maneuvering to avoid power lines, resulting in a crash and fire. The pilot survived the incident.

What happened

The pilot was conducting an aerial application mission over a soybean field when the accident occurred. During the operation, the aircraft encountered overhead power lines that required avoidance maneuvers. While attempting to navigate around these utilities, the pilot lost control or failed to clear an obstacle, causing the aircraft to strike a traffic sign erected near the edge of the field.

The impact with the sign caused the aircraft to crash into the soybean field below. Following the collision, the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed by the resulting blaze. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the aircraft prior to the accident sequence.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a traffic sign while maneuvering to avoid power lines during an aerial application operation.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15594. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.