Cessna T188C N3493J

Summary

On 12 August 1991 at about 18:42 local time, a Cessna T188C registered N3493J, operated by Gulf Aire Enterprises, Inc., was involved in an accident near Paulina, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 August 1991 at 18:42

Classification

Accident

Location

Paulina, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

30.0397, -90.7410

Aircraft

Cessna T188C

Registration

N3493J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Gulf Aire Enterprises, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Vacherie → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW91LA145

1 person had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR THE WIRES AND HIS MISJUDGING CLEARANCE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER THE WIRES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED HE FLEW HIS FIRST PASS OF THE SWATH RUN FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH AND TURNED FOR HIS SECOND PASS. DURING THE SECOND PASS, THE PILOT SPOTTED WIRES STRUNG ACROSS THE FIELD AT ABOUT THE MID-POINT AND ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER THEM. THE WIRES CAUGHT ON THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND IT IMPACTED IN THE SUGAR CANE FIELD. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD SPRAYED THAT FIELD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HE WAS AWARE OF THE WIRES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.