Agricultural aircraft collision with terrain during crop spraying

Casualties unknown • Pullman, WA, US

An agricultural aircraft collided with a ridge and subsequently stalled after an engine response failure during a crop spraying operation.

What happened

The pilot was engaged in agricultural spraying operations, traveling north and south across a field. At the time of the accident, weather conditions included a light wind from the northwest along with wind shear coming from different directions.

While the pilot was flying south toward a small ridge, the airplane suddenly settled. The aircraft struck the terrain just below the top of the ridge, which caused it to bounce and briefly become airborne. During the attempt to recover from this initial impact, the engine ceased to respond. This loss of power led to an aerodynamic stall, resulting in a second collision with the ground where the aircraft impacted the terrain flat on its belly. The pilot was not injured.

According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions present in the airplane at the time of the accident.

Probable cause

The aircraft settled into terrain due to wind shear and subsequently stalled after the engine failed to respond during recovery efforts.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-07-16 Cessna A188B accident near Pullman, WA?

An agricultural aircraft collided with a ridge and subsequently stalled after an engine response failure during a crop spraying operation.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-07-16 involved a Cessna A188B, registration N9336R, at Pullman, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft settled into terrain due to wind shear and subsequently stalled after the engine failed to respond during recovery efforts.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06375. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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