NTSB Factual Report

On May 16, 2003, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A188B tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N478RD, registered to and operated by C&D Aerial Applications of Clint, Texas, sustained substantial damage during landing roll following a loss of directional control at Fabens Airport (E35), Fabens, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed from E35 at 1430.

The 1,100-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was on final approach for runway 26, a 4,200 foot long, 60 foot wide asphalt runway, with two notches of flaps set. While on final, he noted a slight right crosswind was present. At approximately 70 knots, the airplane set down on the runway with its main landing gears. As the airplane started to slow and the tail of the airplane started to settle at approximately 60 knots, "a sudden abrupt drift to the right was experienced." He then made control movements as the "drift became more abrupt." The pilot stated, as the edge of the runway was eminent, full power was applied for "go-around procedures" and before he could remove one notch of flaps, the airplanes main landing gear struck a sand dune.

The pilot further stated that he attempted to turn the airplane to the left and avoid a hill directly in front of him. He made control movements, and reduced the power to idle. Nearing a second sand dune, he added full power and back pressure on the control stick "to keep a nose high attitude on impact." Subsequently, the airplane impacted the sand dune with the main landing gear and tailwheel. The airplane started "fish hooking" to the right coming to rest upright.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the right main landing gear was sheared off. The right wing was bent and partially separated from the fuselage. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were partially separated and bent.

El Paso International Airport (ELP), near El Paso, Texas, located 21 miles north of the accident site was the nearest weather reporting station. At 1651, ELP was reporting wind from 280 degrees at 9 knots, few clouds at 9,000 msl, with a visibility of 10 statue miles. The temperature was 33 degrees Celsius, and the dew point was 2 degree Celsius.

The pilot reported that the wind was from 340 degrees, at approximately 5 knots at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. The pilot's attempt to avoid an obstacle was a contributing factor.