Cessna 188 - UNDESIGNAT accident near Columbus, New Mexico, August 13, 2014
On August 13, 2014 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1966 Cessna 188 - UNDESIGNAT, registered N9849V, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Columbus, New Mexico (First Aero Squadron Airpark airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 failure to release the load of agricultural product before the landing approach and his failure to maintain aircraft control during an initial climb after an aborted landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2014 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, New Mexico · First Aero Squadron Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 188 - UNDESIGNAT, built 1966 · all 188 - UNDESIGNATs on the register
- Registration
- N9849V · no longer on the register · serial 188-0099
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the agricultural airplane attempted an aborted landing without releasing the load of agricultural applicant, which had not been dispensed due to a failure of the spray system. During the initial climb after the aborted landing, the airplane stalled and impacted terrain. The pilot's safety recommendation was: "There is a dump lever....use it !!!" The pilot did not have a current flight review nor did he hold an aircraft operator certificate for agricultural operations.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Attempted remediation/recovery during landing (aborted after touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,780 hours in all; 56 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 1,780 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 28, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,218 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 23, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 5,503 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NM09 Columbus NM at 2:05 pm
- Destination: NM09 Columbus NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 270, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from DMN, 20 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.
Other NTSB records under N9849V the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.