Cessna 188 N731EP

Summary

On 31 May 1991 at about 21:30 local time, a Cessna 188 registered N731EP, operated by Collins, Robert C, was involved in an accident near Sycamore, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 1991 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sycamore, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.0008, -81.3005

Aircraft

Cessna 188

Registration

N731EP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Collins, Robert C

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL91LA105

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SECURE THE GUST LOCK DURING PRELFLIGHT; THE STRING JAMMED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND CREATED AN UNCONTROLLABLE CONDITION.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE SPRAYING MELONS, THE PILOT STARTED A PULL UP FROM A SWATH RUN, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE MANEUVER BECAUSE THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE JAMMED. DURING THE ATTEMPT TO FREE THE CONTROLS THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE FLIGHT CONTROLS JAMMED WHEN A STRING USED AS A GUST LOCK WEDGED INTO THE STICK CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND BEFORE THE PILOT COULD RELEASE THE GUST LOCK LINE. THE STRING WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.