# Accident 20160725016849A: Cessna 188A, What Cheer, IA, July 25, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 25, 2016, 18:00 local time
- Place: What Cheer, IA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.4278° N, 92.3778° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4278&lon=-92.3778&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9979G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9979G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 188A (registry code 2073006, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-188a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470R (registry code 17071, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470r) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,313 total, 34 in this make and model, 58 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA393) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160725016849A

## Narrative

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

IN LATE AFTERNOON ON THE DAY OF THE CRASH, THE PILOT PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, AN ENGINE RUN UP AND TOOK OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE FARM AIRSTRIP TO PRACTICE AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF FLYING, AND DURING A "SPRAY RUN", THE ENGINE SLOWLY BUT STEADILY LOST POWER RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO IDENTIFY A NEARBY SOYBEAN FIELD AS A PLACE TO LAND. HE TOUCHED DOWN GOING UP HILL. CRESTING THE HILL, THE AIRCRAFT TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AT WHICH POINT THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT WITH THE RIGHT WING LAYING ON THE GROUND. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A SMALL ABRASION ON THE RIGHT ARM, THE PILOT WAS UNINJURED.

VISIBLE DAMAGE INCLUDED THE DEFORMED RIGHT WING, RIGHT WING TIP BROKEN OFF, THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, DENTS TO THE FRONT LOWER ENGINE COWLING AND A BENT PROP BLADE.

AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE SINGLE HEADER TANK. THE FUEL SHUTOFF CONTROL IN THE COCKPIT WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE ON POSITION. APPROXIMATELY ONE PINT OF FUEL WAS SUMPED FROM THE FUEL TANK. NO CONTAMINATION WAS OBSERVED.

A MALFUNCTION OR DEFECT REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED IF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE.

## 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 GAA16CA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA393), Jul 25, 2016: Cessna 188 (N9979G), What Cheer, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons due to the pilot not making the airplane or engine available for examination, which resulted in a forced landing and an impact with terrain.

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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