# NTSB ATL97LA016: Cessna 188B, N731BQ, Ocilla, GA, October 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 1996, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Ocilla, GA - Coordinates: 31.589611, -83.240821 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5896&lon=-83.2408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3805 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3805/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately preflight and plan the fuel required for the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power as he maneuvered for a swath run. The pilot selected a cotton field adjacent to the field that he was spraying for the forced landing. The examination of the airframe and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. No fuel was recovered from the aircraft fuel system; however, the fuel bladder was damaged and a small quantity of fuel was reportedly spilled in the bottom of the wing assembly. According to the Cessna 188B flight manual, two gallons of fuel are unusable in the aircraft fuel system. During a functional check of the engine assembly, the engine started and operated normally. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 1996, at 1150 eastern standard time, a Cessna 188B, N731BQ, collided with the ground during a forced landing attempt near Ocilla, Georgia. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial rated pilot was not injured. The flight departed a private airstrip in Ocilla, at 1130. According to the pilot, he experienced a complete loss of engine power as he maneuvered for a swath run. The pilot selected a cotton field adjacent to the field that he was spraying, and attempted a forced landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the emergency landing. The examination of the airframe and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. No fuel was recovered from the aircraft fuel system; however, the fuel bladder was damaged and a small quantity of fuel was reportedly spilled in the bottom of the wing assembly. According to the Cessna 188B flight manual, two gallons of fuel are unusable in the aircraft fuel system. During a functional check of the engine assembly, the engine started and operated normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731BQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731BQ-2006-03-27), registration cancelled 2006-03-27, S/N 18802771T, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18802771T - Airframe hours: 3968 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ronald L. Harper - Registered owner: Charles C. Timmons - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1996, 98 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,450 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 269° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AMG, 40 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 19961031034929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961031034929A), Oct 31, 1996: Cessna A188B, Ocilla, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit during aerial application and pilot made emergency landing in cotton field. ## Other investigations on N731BQ (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 MIA79DKQ30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DKQ30), Sep 6, 1979: Cessa A188B (N731BQ), Crawford, MS, destroyed 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.