Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was practicing an aerial application flight over a field and successfully sprayed two lines. Then, while turning back to spray a third line, he“pitched the airplane too nose high." The airplane then "lost speed" and subsequently impacted the ground on a 030-degree heading. Winds, recorded at an airport approximately 1 mile from the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 150 degrees true at 3 knots. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA319 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 3, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kingstree, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Williamsburg Regional Airport (CKI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna A188B
- N-number
- N9364R
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.