Cessna A188 accident near Ord, Nebraska, August 16, 2011
On August 16, 2011 at about 7:50 pm local time, a Cessna A188, registered N9742V, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Ord, Nebraska (Evelyn Sharp Field). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of directional control during a crosswind takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2011 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Ord, Nebraska · Evelyn Sharp Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188 · all A188s on the register
- Registration
- N9742V · registry record · serial 188-0192
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he planned an aerial application flight and filled the airplane with fuel and grass seed. As he started a crosswind takeoff, he applied full rudder and aileron. As the airplane gained speed, it encountered turbulence from nearby buildings, and veered left. The pilot was unable to straighten the airplane on the runway and exited the runway surface. Prior to coming to a stop, the airplane collided with a runway approach light and the left wing impacted the ground. An examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing’s spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › (general) › (general) › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 775 hours in all; 81 in this make and model; 119 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 732 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,043 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 15, 2011
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ODX Ord NE
- Destination: ODX Ord NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 4,721 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KODX
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.