Cessna A188B N731PQ accident near Hondo, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s delayed action to arrest the airplane’s descent, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The agricultural pilot arrived at a field for an aerial application flight. After two successful passes, he approached a static wire that was about 100 feet above ground level. Once clear of the wire the pilot descended toward the crop surface and attempted to level the airplane. He could not arrest the descent in time and the airplane’s landing gear contacted the crop, separating the right main landing gear from the fuselage. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted the ground and slid to a stop in an upright position, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA536 for the full record.