No fatalities

24 Jul 2019: Cessna T188 C — Deshler, NE

Deshler, NE, United States

On 24 Jul 2019, a Cessna T188 C was involved in an aviation accident near Deshler, NE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during low-altitude maneuvering. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During an aerial application turn, the pilot avoided wires but the vertical stabilizer struck the bottom set, shearing off the top section and rudder. The plane then hit the ground and burned. No pre-accident mechanical issues were reported.

Accident Summary

An aerial application airplane sustained substantial damage and was consumed by a post-accident fire after striking wires and impacting terrain. The pilot, who was conducting a spraying operation, reported no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, the accident sequence began while executing a minimum bank angle turn to the south. During the maneuver, he attempted to avoid nearby wires. However, the airplane's vertical stabilizer contacted the bottom set of wires. The collision resulted in the separation of the top section of the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The airplane subsequently descended and impacted the ground, after which a fire erupted.

Aircraft Damage

The post-accident fire completely consumed the airplane. The damage was extensive, with the entire structure burned. The pilot noted that the airplane had been operating normally prior to the accident, and there were no indications of any mechanical or system abnormalities that would have prevented continued safe flight.

Investigation Details

No additional details regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, or location were provided in the initial report. The investigation will likely focus on the wire strike and the subsequent loss of vertical stabilizer effectiveness.

Contributing factors

PilotAltitude — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation