Casualties unknown

Airplane Collides with Terrain During Agricultural Spraying (N9336R)

Pullman, WA, US

On July 16, 1996, a Cessna A188B (registration N9336R) was involved in an aviation accident near Pullman, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance during a swath run. Factors relating to the accident were: unfavorable (variable) wind conditions, low airspeed, and uneven terrain. 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

While spraying a field, an airplane encountered wind shear, settled, collided with a ridge, bounced, lost engine response, stalled, and collided again with terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction.

Accident Details

The pilot was conducting an aerial spraying operation over a field, moving in north-south directions. Wind conditions included a light breeze from the northwest and wind shear from multiple directions. While spraying southbound toward a small ridge, the airplane suddenly settled. It then collided with terrain just below the ridge top. Following the impact, the airplane bounced and became airborne again.

Pilot Statement

The pilot attempted to recover control after the bounce. However, the engine ceased to respond to inputs. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain a second time, landing flat on its belly. The pilot explicitly stated that no mechanical failure or malfunction existed with the airplane at the time of the accident.

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.