Cessna A188 N731ST

Summary

On 24 June 2011 at about 11:35 local time, a Cessna A188 registered N731ST, operated by Charles A Torkelson, was involved in an accident near Castroville, Texas, 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

24 June 2011 at 11:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Castroville, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Castroville Municipal Airport (CVB)

Coordinates

29.3383, -98.8506

Aircraft

Cessna A188

Registration

N731ST

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Charles A Torkelson

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Castroville → Castroville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

CEN11CA438

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the agricultural spraying flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting agricutural spraying operations in the airplane when the accident occurred. He stated that it was his first pass when he noticed a center pivot irrigation system ahead. His efforts to avoid hitting the irrigation system were unsuccessful. After striking the irrigation system he noted that he had almost no aileron control. He was able to use full power, full left aileron, and full left rudder to regain partial control and return to the airport for an emergency landing. As the airplane touched down the left main landing gear separated and the airplane came to rest upright resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and flight controls. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies prior to impact with the irrigation system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.