# Accident 19970826024209A: Cessna 188B, South Haven, MI, August 26, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 26, 1997, 12:30 local time
- Place: South Haven, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: RCDG
- Location: 42.4009° N, 86.2698° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4009&lon=-86.2698&mi=10
- Aircraft: N21639, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21639-2013-08-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 188B (registry code 2073007, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-188b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Reported engine: CONT IO520D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,017 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI97LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA273) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970826024209A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAILED DURING AERIAL APPLICATION. (.4)AFTER PULLING UP FROM A SWATH RUN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT THEN MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A BLUE BERRY FIELD. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILED CONNECTING ROD IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 1,900 HOURS SINCE THE LAST OVERHAUL. THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED INTERVAL FOR OVERHAUL WAS 1,200 HOURS. THE COMPANY OWNER SAID THAT HE KNEW THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO NEED AN OVERHAUL; HOWEVER, HE HOPED THAT IT WOULD LAST UNTIL THE AERIAL APPLICATION SEASON WAS OVER.                                  (-23) ON AUGUST 26, 1997, AT 1200 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 188B, N21639, REGISTERED TO ROBERTSON CROP DUSTING SERVICES OF SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD NEAR SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER.  THE COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES.  THE 14 CFR PART 137 FLIGHT WAS OPERATING IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.  NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS ON FILE.  THE LOCAL FLIGHT DEPARTED ABOUT 1145.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI97LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA273), Aug 26, 1997: Cessna 188B (N21639), South Haven, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of a connecting rod in the engine assembly, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: lack of a recommended engine overhaul, and the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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