Cessna 188 accident near Latta, South Carolina, April 12, 1994
On April 12, 1994 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Cessna 188, registered N4856Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Latta, South Carolina. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN FLYING SPEED AND THE PREMATURE LIFT OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 1994 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Latta, South Carolina
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 188 · all 188s on the register
- Registration
- N4856Q · no longer on the register · serial 18802592T
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE INITIAL ACCIDENT REPORT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK ON THE 1800 FOOT SOD RUNWAY TWICE AFTER THE PILOT ROTATED FOR LIFTOFF. WHEN THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, A WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED. THE AG AIRPLANE, WITH 120 GALLONS OF CHEMICALS STILL ONBOARD, CAME TO REST IN A FIELD ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. DURING A SUBSEQUENT REPORT THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. HOWEVER, THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,724 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 30, 1993; 150 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-D26 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from FLO, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.