On September 30, 1997, a Cessna A188B (registration N731RP) was involved in an aviation accident near Greenwood, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The intentional operation of the airplane from an unsuitable takeoff area by the pilot-in-command and inadvertent rotation of the airplane after encountering rising terrain on the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane became airborne prematurely during takeoff from a runway with a known rise. After dumping chemical, it struck a tree 200 feet beyond the runway end, then hit the ground, shearing off the right main landing gear in a ditch. The aircraft inverted and was destroyed by fire.
Accident Details
During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a rise in the runway—a condition the pilot had previously noted. The aircraft became airborne prematurely. The pilot initiated dumping of the chemical payload and attempted to climb, but the airplane collided with a tree located 200 feet past the departure end of the runway. Following the collision, the airplane impacted the ground, and the right main landing gear was sheared off after contacting a ditch. The airplane then became inverted and was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that he and the owner had plans to repair the runway and clear the trees at the end of the runway after the spraying season. He further stated that there was no airframe or engine preimpact failure or malfunction.
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