Cessna A188B accident near Milford, Nebraska, July 23, 2014
On July 23, 2014 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1972 Cessna A188B, registered N730GU, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Milford, Nebraska (Roth airport). 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 improper engine mixture setting which reduced available engine power, and his inadvertent retraction of flaps which resulted in an impact with crops and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2014 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Milford, Nebraska · Roth · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188B B, built 1972 · all A188Bs on the register
- Registration
- N730GU · no longer on the register · serial 18800977T
- 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 pilot reported that the agricultural airplane was loaded and was taking off when the accident occurred. He stated that he set the engine mixture control for best power and proceeded to take off. He stated that the takeoff roll took longer than expected and when the airplane was approaching the departure end of the runway he realized that the engine was not producing the power that he expected. As the end of the runway approached he added a second notch of flaps and the airplane lifted off and cleared the road and the corn crop on the opposite side of the road. The airplane's airspeed started to reduce and the pilot attempted to dump the chemical load, but inadvertently grabbed the flap handle and retracted the flaps. By the time he realized that he had inadvertently retracted the flaps the airplane impacted the corn crop and terrain and subsequently came to rest inverted. The airplane suffered substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot surmised that he had inadvertently leaned the engine mixture control too much prior to the takeoff which resulted in a reduction in available engine power. He made no mention of any pre-impact deficiencies with regard to 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 engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › LE flap control system › Unintentional use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Roth Aerial Spraying INC
The flight
- Departed from: NE65 Milford NE at 10:00 pm
- Destination: NE65 Milford NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,640 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 10:54 pm from LNK, 15 miles away
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.