Cessna T188 accident near Dustin, Oklahoma, July 10, 2020
On July 10, 2020 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna T188, registered N2690J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Dustin, Oklahoma (Private airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s continued takeoff without ensuring obstacles could be avoided due to his use of a sedating medication, which likely diminished his reaction time and flying performance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 2020 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Dustin, Oklahoma · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T188 C, built 1979 · all T188s on the register
- Registration
- N2690J · registry record · serial T18803498T
- 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 was conducting his second aerial application flight of the day. According to a witness, the airplane had been topped off with fuel before the first flight and 165 gallons of chemical just before the accident flight. The witness stated that the airplane became airborne later than he expected. After departure, the airplane angled left from the runway heading and its wingtip impacted a power pole. It then hit power lines and another pole before coming to rest inverted in a draw. A postaccident examination found no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology testing indicated the pilot had the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in his blood at the time of the accident. The levels detected were above the therapeutic level for diphenhydramine. Given the pilot’s years of experience and familiarity with the aircraft, it is reasonable to consider that his reaction time and flying performance were diminished due to the use of sedating medication, which resulted in the impact with the power pole.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Pole › Not specified
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 17,100 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors TSIO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Agratech Inc
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from kmlc
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on February 23, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Examination Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Medical Factual | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Oil Analysis | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Autopsy Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.