Casualties unknown

Aerial Application Airplane Ground-Loops After Crosswind Landing on Private Airstrip (N8150V)

Freeman, SD, US

On August 20, 2003, a Cessna 188A (registration N8150V) operated by General Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Freeman, SD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and clearance during landing roll. Additional factors included the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, the crosswind and the corn crop. 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

An agricultural airplane sustained substantial damage when the left wing struck corn during a crosswind landing on a private grass strip, resulting in a ground loop.

Incident

An airplane conducting aerial application operations was substantially damaged during a landing accident on a private grass airstrip. The pilot reported that the landing was being made to the south, with the wind coming from the southeast.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, the landing strip was sheltered from the left crosswind by corn crops growing on both sides of the strip. The pilot stated that he overcorrected for the crosswind and bounced the landing. Following the bounce, the airplane drifted to the left and the left wing impacted the corn. The pilot reported that the resulting drag on the left wing caused a ground looping effect.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage during the event. No additional details about the aircraft or extent of damage were provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030820X01369. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.