# NTSB BFO91LA076: Cessna A188B, N8284G, New Market, MD, August 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1991
- Place: New Market, MD
- Coordinates: 39.410034, -77.270401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4100&lon=-77.2704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA076

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE INOPERATIVE FUEL QUANTITY GAGES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AS HE WAS RETURNING FROM AN AERIAL APPLICATION.  HE STATED THAT HIS FUEL GAGES WERE NOT OPERATIVE, AND DURING THE PREFLIGHT, HE ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 1.5 HOURS OF FUEL ABOARD.  HE SAID THE FLIGHT LASTED ABOUT 50 MINUTES.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED IN A FIELD WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND WAS DAMAGED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD BEEN MORE CAREFUL IN CHECKING THE FUEL TANKS AND REFUELING AFTER EACH TRIP.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8284G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8284G-2014-12-23), registration cancelled 2014-12-23, S/N 18801285T, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801285T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Leroy Rawding
- Registered owner: First State Aerial Applicators
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: CGE, CAMBRIDGE, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,338 total, 110 in this make and model, 1,261 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 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 19910826036759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910826036759A), Aug 26, 1991: Cessna A188B, New Market, MD, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning to base after a spray operation. Struck a ditch on forced landing.

## Other investigations on N8284G (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 ATL88DMG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88DMG07), Aug 16, 1988: Cessna A188B (N8284G), Oak City, NC, substantial damage

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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