Cessna A188B accident near Cheyenne, Wyoming, July 10, 2012
On July 10, 2012 at about 1:00 pm local time, a 1975 Cessna A188B, registered N4831R, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a power line. Contributing to the accident was the sun's glare.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 2012 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Cheyenne, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188B, built 1975 · all A188Bs on the register
- Registration
- N4831R · no longer on the register · serial 18802350
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an aerial application flight, the pilot was flying eastbound toward the morning sun. Due to the sun glare, the pilot did not see the north-south power line that crossed the airplane's flight path. The airplane subsequently collided with the power line, impacted the ground, and nosed over. The operator stated that the pilot was briefed on the location of the wire and the hazards of flight into sun prior to the flight. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Bright light › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 11 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 15, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Circle S Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 82V Pine Bluffs WY at 12:10 pm
- Destination: 82V Pine Bluffs WY
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from CYS, 10 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.