# NTSB ATL91LA119: Cessna 188, N48430, Muscle Shoals, AL, June 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1991, 11:09 local (16:09 UTC)
- Place: Muscle Shoals, AL
- Coordinates: 34.739746, -87.640197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7397&lon=-87.6402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA119

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, APPROXIMATELY 40 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE WHEN HE DEPARTED THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. ABOUT 35 MINUTES INTO THE SPRAYING OPERATION THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A SWATH RUN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH 50 TO 75 FOOT TALL TREES ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE FIELD, AND CRASHED IN AN ADJACENT FIELD 500 FEET BEYOND THE TREES. THE POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT MECHANIAL PROBLEMS; THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THE FUEL IN THE DAMAGED FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48430 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188-02362T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Brooks Ag Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Brooks Ag Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: TOWN CREEK, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 3 nm away

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.

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