Airplane Impacted The Canola Field Left Wing Down And Came To Rest With The Right Wing Laying Over The Left Wing

Location: Pembina, ND Accident Number: CEN20LA270
Date & Time: 07/09/2020, 0805 CDT Registration: C-GWWE
Aircraft: CESSNA 188 Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Non-U.S., Non-Commercial

On July 9, 2020, about 0805 central daylight time, a Cessna 188 airplane, Canadian registry CGWWE, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Pembina, North Dakota. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR) Subpart 702 aerial work flight.

About 0745, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer observed the airplane spraying fungicide on a canola field in Canada adjacent to the U.S. border. Following each southbound spray pass, the airplane would fly into the U.S. and make a left turn back toward the Canadian field. After observing a post-crash fire about 1.5 miles north of his position, the officer responded to the accident site and rendered assistance to the pilot. Due to his injuries, the pilot did not recall events of the accident.

Examination by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed the airplane impacted the canola field left wing down and came to rest with the right wing laying over the left wing. The debris path was oriented toward the southeast and about 150 ft long. The airplane was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov