Casualties unknown

Sprayer Calibration Flight Ends with Inverted Aircraft on Runway (N4954R)

Satanta, KS, US

On June 21, 1997, a Cessna A188B (registration N4954R) was involved in an aviation accident near Satanta, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot not maintaining aircraft control shortly after it had touched down during its liftoff. A factor in this accident was the premature liftoff during takeoff by the pilot. 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

During a sprayer calibration flight, the aircraft became inverted on the runway after takeoff. The pilot reported a crosswind and rudder input issues.

Summary

A calibration flight for a sprayer aircraft resulted in the airplane coming to rest inverted on the runway. The pilot provided details about the sequence of events leading to the accident.

Flight Details

The pilot stated that the takeoff was initiated on a runway with a crosswind of 10 to 15 knots from the left. After becoming airborne, the airplane briefly lifted off and then touched down shortly thereafter. The pilot noted that he had relaxed the right rudder pressure applied to compensate for the crosswind following lift-off. He acknowledged that he did not reapply the rudder pressure quickly enough after the subsequent touchdown.

Accident Sequence

According to the pilot, the next event he recalled was the airplane inverted on the runway. The owner/operator reported observing fresh tire skid marks and propeller strike marks on the runway, leading to the location where the aircraft rested inverted. The pilot mentioned that he could not recall applying any brakes during the takeoff or landing sequence.

Investigation

No additional details about the aircraft, pilot, or environmental conditions were provided beyond those stated by the pilot and owner/operator.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08090. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.