FTW02LA109

Factual narrative

On March 24, 2002, approximately 0620 central standard time, a Cessna 188 agricultural airplane, N9454J, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a light pole and a power line near Forrest City, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Hutcherson Flying Service, Forrest City, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 local aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at 0605. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), and in a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that this was the first load of the day. After circling the field to look for obstructions, the pilot began spraying, eventually reaching "a small triangle end of the field" with wires running from east to west. The wires bordered the north end of the field. The pilot stated that he began his spray pass from south to north, and "as I started to climb, I felt like I wasn't going to clear the wires." As he pushed the airplane's nose down to go under the wires, he felt the right wheel impact the top of a pole, as well as the top of the tail clip the bottom wire. After climbing out of the field, another pilot in the area surveyed the airplane and reported that the right main landing gear was angled slightly inwards. The pilot determined that all of the flight controls operated properly, and he elected to dispense the remainder of the load. The pilot then proceeded to the Thompson-Robbins Airport, West Helena, Arkansas, and landed. During the touchdown, the right main landing gear folded inward and upward under the engine cowling. Subsequently, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane and it exited the runway surface, coming to rest upright. The pilot then exited the airplane and noted that the top 8 to 12 inches of the top of the rudder had been severed. On the first load of the day, the pilot circled the field to check for obstructions. After several spray passes, the pilot came to a small triangle area of the field, which he entered from south to north. Wires bordered the north end of the field. As he started to climb out of the field over a set of wires, the pilot reported that "I felt like I wasn't going to clear the wires." As he pushed the airplane's nose down to go under the wires, the right wheel clipped the top of a pole, and the top of the tail struck the bottom set of wires. After the pilot exited the field, another pilot in the area surveyed the airplane and reported the right wheel was "angled in slightly." Determining all controls were working properly, the pilot dispensed the remainder of his load, then proceeded to an alternate airport. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, the pilot lost directional control, and the airplane exited the runway and came to a stop. When the pilot got out of the airplane he found that the top portion of the rudder had been severed by the wire strike. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12