Casualties unknown

Pilot Reports Turbulence Encounter During Agricultural Turn (N731CZ)

Elmira, CA, US

On February 23, 1995, a Cessna A-188B (registration N731CZ) operated by William & Margret Joslin was involved in an aviation accident near Elmira, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft after an inadvertent encounter with the wake turbulence from a preceding agricultural aircraft while maneuvering at low altitude. 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 completing an agricultural swath run encountered turbulence during a turn, causing the right wing to contact the ground. The aircraft's gross weight was approximately 3,700 pounds.

Incident Overview

A pilot was conducting an agricultural flight and had just completed his second swath run. At an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level, he initiated a turn from 90 to 270 degrees. After rolling the aircraft from a left bank to a right bank, the pilot felt the aircraft encounter an area of turbulent air.

Pilot's Account

The pilot believed that he had inadvertently flown across the vortex turbulence generated by another aircraft operating in the same area. He stated that the turbulence caused the aircraft to descend. Before he could react and recover, the right wing contacted the ground.

Aircraft Information

According to the pilot, at the time of the accident the aircraft's gross weight was approximately 3,700 pounds. No other details regarding the aircraft's make, model, or registration were provided.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03002. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.