# NTSB ATL94LA003: Cessna T188C, N42402, Rogersville, AL, October 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1993, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Rogersville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.819328, -87.280136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8193&lon=-87.2801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA003

## Probable cause

WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING TAKE OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENGINE QUIT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A WOODED TERRAIN. THE WRECKAGE AND ACCIDENT SITE WERE EXAMINED WHICH REVEALED THAT RESIDUAL FUEL REMAINED IN THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL INJECTOR. LESS THAN ONE OUNCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR, AND THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE 'ON' POSITION. THE LEFT WING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE FUESELAGE WHICH PULLED THE FUEL LINE FROM THE TANK; HOWEVER, NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On October 5, 1993, at about 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N42402, collided with the ground, following a loss of engine power, immediately after departure from Thorntown Airstrip at Rogersville, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 137 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the aerial application flight. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, while the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that the engine quit immediately after take off. He dumped the chemical and landed the airplane in a field which resulted in substantial damage.

An airworthiness inspector from the Alabama Flight Standards District Office, Birmingham, Alabama, examined the wreckage. He reported that only residual fuel was found in the airplane, and that there was no evidence of spilled fuel at the accident site.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42402](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42402-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N T18803700, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803700T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Thornton, Buster L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,731 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 4,731 as pilot in command, 196 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19931005037709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931005037709A), Oct 5, 1993: Cessna T188C, Rogersville, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Dumped load. Crash landed. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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