Casualties unknown

Aircraft Stalls During Takeoff from Grass Airstrip (N91181)

Belhaven, NC, US

On October 11, 2006, a Cessna 188B (registration N91181) operated by William J. Brinkley was involved in an aviation accident near Belhaven, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions and maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with 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

A pilot reported that his airplane stalled on initial climb from a grass airstrip while carrying 150 gallons of chemicals, resulting in substantial damage. He noted a wind shift to tailwind and stated no mechanical issues. An FAA inspector found the pilot lacked an agricultural operator certificate.

Accident Description

A pilot reported that his airplane stalled during initial climb after departing from a grass airstrip. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a cotton field. At the time, the pilot was carrying 150 gallons of chemicals for aerial application operations.

Pilot Statements

According to the pilot, after exiting the airplane, he observed that the wind had changed from a headwind to a tailwind. He stated that he should have erected a windsock or taken on a lighter load of chemicals. The pilot also noted that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

Damage and Inspection

The accident resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the propeller, the fuselage, and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. An FAA inspector determined that the pilot was engaged in aerial application operations without an agricultural operator certificate.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20061129X01720. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.