CHI03LA168

Factual narrative

On June 17, 2003, at 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N70403, operated by McCormick Aviation as an aerial application flight, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during takeoff from runway 18 (2,648 feet by 47 feet, asphalt) at Hornersville Memorial Airport (37M), Hornersville, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he prematurely raised the tail of the airplane during takeoff. He stated the airplane "weathervaned" into the wind, and he lost control. The airplane reportedly drifted off the ruway's surface. Each wing impacted the terrain and the right landing gear subsequently collapsed. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight. A weather reporting station at Arkansas International Airport, 11 nautical miles to the southeast of the accident site, recorded at 1251, winds from 060 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot reported east winds at 12 knots at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged when it veered off the side of the runway during takeoff. The pilot reported he prematurely raised the tail of the airplane during takeoff. He stated the airplane "weather vaned" into the wind and he lost control. The wings impacted the ground and the right main gear collapsed. A weather station 11 nautical miles from the accident site reported the winds from 060 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot reported east winds at 12 knots at the scene. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12