# Accident 20010927031359A: Cessna T188C, Aiken, TX, September 27, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 27, 2001, 10:00 local time
- Place: Aiken, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 34.1233° N, 101.5183° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1233&lon=-101.5183&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4629J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4629J-2004-04-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna T188C (registry code 2073012, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520 series (registry code 17040, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Reported engine: CONT TSIO520D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 4,500 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 126 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW01LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA210) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010927031359A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING DURING A TURN WHILE AGRICULTURAL SPRAY OPERATIONS WERE BEING CONDUCTED. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TURN INTO THE WIND AND TRIED TO MAKE THE ENGINE OPERATE BY TURNING ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE AND THE PILOT LANDED IN A COTTON FIELD WITH A CIRCULAR IRRIGATION AND PLANTING PATTERN. THE CURVE IN THE CROP ROWS PULLED THE AIRPLANE INTO A TURN TO THE RIGHT, COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND BENDING THE LEFT WING UPWARD JUST OUTBOARD OF THE WING STRUT. THE DRIVE TRAIN AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED. THE ENGINE WILL UNDERGO A SUPERVISED TEARDOWN AT THE TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL FACTORY. (.4) THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE TO ENTER A FIELD AND COMMENCE SPRAYING, WHEN AT 120 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED CIRCULAR ROWS OF COTTON, BEFORE COMING TO REST UPRIGHT. THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S FACILITY AND SILICON SEALANT WAS OBSERVED ON THE BASE FLANGES OF THE #1, #2, #4, AND #6 CYLINDERS AND ON THE CRANKCASE MATING SURFACES. FRETTIN        G WAS OBSERVED ON THE BASE FLANGES OF THE CYLINDERS, ON THE MATING SURFACE OF THE CRANKCASE HALVES, AND ON THE MAIN BEARING BOSSES. THE #2 MAIN BEARING WAS OBSERVED FRAGMENTED AND THE BEARING'S BORE WAS CRACKED AND DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FRACTURED BETWEEN THE #2 MAIN BEARING AND #3 CRANKSHAFT CHEEK. ACCORDING TO A TCM METALLURGIST, THE FATIGUE FRACTURE'S ORIGIN WAS DETERMINED TO BE AT THE AFT RADIUS OF THE #2 MAIN BEARING. THE SILICON SEALANT PREVENTED PROPER TORQUEING OF THE BOLTS THAT MATE THE CRANKCASE HALVES AND LED TO VIBRATION AT THE CRANKCASE MATING SURFACES. THE #2 MAIN BEARING THEN SHIFTED AND FAILED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## 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 FTW01LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA210), Sep 27, 2001: Cessna T188C (N4629J), Aiken, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the application of silicon sealant to the crankcase mating surfaces by maintenance personnel, which resulted in improper torque on the bolts which mate the crankcase halves, vibration, 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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