LODI, CA, USA
N9966J
CESSNA 188B
ON JUNE 24, 1985, AT 0520 HOURS PDT, A CESSNA AG TRUCK 188B, N9966J, REGISTERED TO JAMES L. THOMAS AND OPERATED BY AG- FLIGHT, INC. COLLIDED WITH THE BRIM OF AN IRRIGATION CANAL DURING TAKE-OFF FROM THE THOMAS RANCH STRIP AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A FIELD BEYOND THE CANAL WHILE ON A FLIGHT TO APPLY SULFER ON A LOCAL VINEYARD. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY CRASH IMPACT FORCES AND FIRE FROM THE BURNING SULFER CARRIED WITHIN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE CERTIFICATED ATP PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURY TO HIS EYES FROM THE BURNING SULFER. THE PILOT STATES THAT ALL NORMAL PREFLIGHT OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT TAKEOFF WITH NO ABNORMAL INDICATION THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRCRAFT WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL WITH SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. AT LIFT OFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A NEAR STALL CONDITION BEFORE STRIKING THE CANAL BRIM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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