# Accident 19991020047169A: Cessna A188B, Sprague, NE, October 20, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 20, 1999, 08:45 local time
- Place: Sprague, NE
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: PSQG
- Location: 40.6298° N, 96.7403° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6298&lon=-96.7403&mi=10
- Aircraft: N731PU, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731PU-2015-05-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A188B (registry code 2073005, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Reported engine: CONT IO520*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 9,000 total, 8,900 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI00LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA012) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991020047169A

## Narrative

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

(.4)THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS FLYING TO THE NORTH AROUND 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. 'THERE WAS NO SPUTTERING OR WARNING.  IT JUST QUIT.'  THE PILOT CHECKED THE THROTTLE AND PULLED ON THE FLAPS TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE. 'THERE WAS NO PLACE TO LAND, SO I WENT INTO SOME TREES AND HIT A DITCH WHICH FLIPPED ME OVER.'  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE BOTTOM SPARK PLUGS WERE LEAD-FOULED, AND RUSTED.  EXAMINATION OF THE OTHER AIRPLANE SYSTEMS REVEALED NO ANOMALIES.  FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL STRAINER FILTER WAS CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS IDENTIFIED AS DIRT AND RUST.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOWED THAT SEVERAL AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES APPLICABLE TO THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.  ADDITIONALLY, SEVERAL AIRPLANE SYSTEM ITEMS REQUIRING ANNUAL INSPECTION UNDER 14 CFR PART 43 HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.                                                                      (-23)PILOT WAS ON LAST SPRAY RUN, STARTED TO MAKE TURN, ENGINE SUDDENDLY LOST, POWER MADE EMERGENCY LANDING, AIRPLANE HIT BERM,THEN BRUSH PILE, THEN RUT IN FIELD AND OVER TURNED, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO AIRPLANE.  PILOT  WAS NOT WEARING SAFETY HELMET AND SUSTAINED CUT ON HEAD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED FUEL STARVATION DUE TO DIRT AND DEBRIS IN FUEL FILTER AND SCREEN.

## 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 CHI00LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA012), Oct 20, 1999: Cessna A188B (N731PU), Sprague, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: Engine failure due to fouled and rusted spark plugs, and a clogged fuel filter. Factors relating to this accident were the inadequate annual inspection performed on the airplane, the trees 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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