Cessna A188B accident near Middleton, Tennessee, August 27, 2014
On August 27, 2014 at about 1:50 pm local time, a 1973 Cessna A188B, registered N5850G, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Middleton, Tennessee. 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 failure to see and avoid power lines during a low-level aerial application operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 2014 · about 1:50 pm local time
- Place
- Middleton, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188B, built 1973 · all A188Bs on the register
- Registration
- N5850G · no longer on the register · serial 18801153
- 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 applying chemicals to a soybean field when the airplane struck power lines about 20 ft above the ground. The outboard half of the right wing was severed from the impact with the wires, and the airplane crashed north of the power lines. Data from a handheld GPS recovered at the accident site revealed that the airplane was in level flight, at low altitude, and on a northerly heading when it impacted the wires. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preexisting anomaly or malfunction. The propeller blades exhibited signatures consistent with power at the time of impact, and several tree limbs were found along the debris field with smooth, 45-degree cuts. Toxicology testing on the pilot revealed that he was taking medications for hypertension and edema. The pilot had not reported these conditions to the Federal Aviation Administration; however, the autopsy report revealed no evidence of a heart attack or any other incapacitating event.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during maneuvering defining event
- 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 › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 5,370 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520 Series (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: M08 Bolivar TN at 11:24 am
- Destination: M08 Bolivar TN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from MKL, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on May 21, 2015. 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 | GPS Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Final Track – N5850G | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Textron Aviation Aircraft Accident Technical Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Continental Motors Engine Field Inspection Report | PDF, 25 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Mkl Weather Data | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicology Report – Taylor | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Photo 1 – Main Wreckage (FAA Photo) Caption: View of Main Wreckage, Placed in Upright | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photo 2 – Damaged Repaired Power Line (FAA Photo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photo 3 – Wing Section Under Power Line (Cmi Photo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Photo 4 – Propeller Assembly (FAA Photo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Photo 5 – Damaged Left Wing Section (FAA Photo) | 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.