Casualties unknown

Pilot Loses Control During Landing on Newly Purchased Aircraft (N4788Q)

Wall, SD, US

On October 12, 1993, a Cessna A188B (registration N4788Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Wall, SD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE TYPE (MAKE AND MODEL) OF 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

A pilot lost directional control while landing a newly purchased airplane at the first en route stop, causing the aircraft to depart the runway and the left main landing gear to collapse.

Incident Overview

The pilot had just purchased the airplane and was flying it from the point of purchase in Winner, South Dakota, to his home in Montana. During the first en route stop, while landing, the pilot lost directional control. The airplane subsequently departed the runway, and the left main landing gear collapsed.

Pilot Statement

In a statement, the pilot indicated that he had attempted to make a three-point landing. He noted that he should have made wheel landings until he was more familiar with the airplane.

Aircraft and Location

The incident occurred at the first en route stop after departing Winner, South Dakota. No further information about the aircraft type, registration, or specific location was provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13536. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.