NTSB Factual Report

On August 11, 2004, about 2005 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B airplane, N92806, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it struck a windmill and subsequently impacted the ground while conducting aerial application near Mylo, North Dakota. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from the Rolla Municipal Airport, Rolla, North Dakota, about 15 minutes before the accident.

A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no pre-impact anomalies with respect to the airplane or its systems. One of the airplanes wings was separated and came to rest near the base of a windmill. The approximately 25 foot tall windmill had damage consistent with the airplane impacting it. The inspector contacted the operator of the airplane and was informed that the accident pilot had sprayed the field where the accident occurred on previous occasions.

An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the North Dakota State Morgue on August 12, 2004. A Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report prepared by the FAA was negative for all tests performed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the windmill. The windmill was a contributing factor.