Cessna T188C accident near Ismay, Montana, May 31, 2015
On May 31, 2015 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 1982 Cessna T188C, registered N9987J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Ismay, Montana (Baldwin Ranch Strip 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 incorrect action to continue the takeoff when he failed to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2015 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ismay, Montana · Baldwin Ranch Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T188C, built 1982 · all T188Cs on the register
- Registration
- N9987J · no longer on the register · serial T18803916T
- 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 he had successfully flown five aerial application flights prior to the accident flight with loads that were only half of capacity. This make/model airplane was new to the pilot, but he felt comfortable with the airplane having accumulated about 15 hours at the time of the accident. During the takeoff roll, the airplane hit a bump about halfway down the runway, and started to porpoise. The pilot stated that he started losing directional control, and applied the brakes. After regaining control, the airplane was not aligned with the runway; however, he continued the takeoff, thinking that the airplane was going to fly. The airplane subsequently departed the runway surface, collided with a three-strand wire fence, and bounced across a dike. The collision with the fence damaged the landing gear, and the airplane skidded to a stop. Both wings, both main landing gear, and the engine mount sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine 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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- 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 › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,525 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 196 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 5,525 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 22, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,455 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 22, 2015; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,027 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors Inc TSIO-520 (piston); 2,670 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ismay MT at 7:30 pm
- Destination: MLS Miles City MT
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 26 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:34 pm from KBHK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on July 13, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | 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.