Accident Overview
On August 20, 2008, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B (registration N53243) collided with a ditch during takeoff from a private airstrip in Camanche, Iowa. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was conducted as an aerial application operation under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident.
Pilot Account and Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, during the takeoff run, the airplane became airborne after contacting a "hump" in the grass airstrip. He attempted to keep the airplane airborne, but it settled back onto the airstrip. Upon settling, the airplane contacted a "washed-out" rut that crossed through the middle of the airstrip. This impact caused the right landing gear to be sheared off the airplane, and the left landing gear collapsed rearward. The internal airframe structure was damaged at the gear attach points. The pilot stated that he was aware of the condition of the airstrip prior to the takeoff. The airplane received substantial damage as a result of the collision with the ditch.