PULLMAN, WA, USA
N9336R
Cessna A188B
The pilot stated that he was spraying a field to the north and south with a light wind from the northwest and wind shear from different directions. He reported that as he was spraying south toward a small ridge, the airplane suddenly settled. The airplane collided with terrain, just below the top of a ridge, then it bounced and became airborne. The pilot tried to recover; however, the engine was no longer responding. The airplane then stalled and again collided with the terrain, flat on its belly. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane at the time of the accident.
On July 16, 1996, at 0645 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9336R, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, collided with the terrain while maneuvering near Pullman, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The flight had departed from Pullman approximately ten minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was spraying an insecticide north and south over a pea field with a light wind from the northwest, and wind shear conditions from different directions. The pilot stated that he began a spray run to the south, toward a small ridge, when that the airplane suddenly settled to the ground and the airplane collided with the ridge just below the top. The airplane bounced and became airborne. The pilot tried to recover, however, the engine was no longer responding. The pilot stated that the airplane "stalled" and again collided with the terrain flat on its belly. After the accident, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.
failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance during a swath run. Factors relating to the accident were: unfavorable (variable) wind conditions, low airspeed, and uneven terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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