# NTSB CEN13LA260: Cessna A188B, N731JF, Lyons, KS, May 7, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 2013, 09:31 local (14:31 UTC)
- Place: Lyons, KS
- Coordinates: 38.34937, -98.199282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3494&lon=-98.1993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Wichita FSDO, Continental Motors, Inc., Cessna Aircraft Company
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86830/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86830
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA260

## Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect the fuel contamination.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The agricultural application airplane was maneuvering at low altitude when it experienced a loss of engine power, descended, and impacted terrain. The impact resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that he had not done a complete preflight examination of the airplane and that not checked the fuel tanks nor had he drained the fuel sumps. There had been rain in the area the night before. A postaccident examination of the airplane disclosed the presence of water contamination in the gascolator, but there were no other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On May 7, 2013, at 0931 central daylight time, N731JF, a Cessna Aircraft Company model A188B single-engine airplane was substantially damaged after impacting terrain near Lyons, Kansas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by Rice County Aerial Applicators, Inc., Lyons, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. The local flight departed at 0928 from Lyons-Rice County Municipal Airport (LYO), Lyons, Kansas. The pilot reported that he had completed his first northbound spray run and he then made a 45 degree turn to the northeast to return for a southbound spray run. During the turn when he was about 100 feet agl he experienced a loss of power from the engine. The airplane descended and the right wing struck terrain first resulting in an almost complete separation of both the right wing and empennage from the fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright in a flat wheat field. There was a significant fuel spill, but no postimpact fire. The pilot was able to exit the cockpit unassisted and several witnesses quickly responded to the accident scene. According to the pilot one of the witnesses told him they had heard the engine quit. Another witness was watching the airplane inflight when he heard the engine "struggling" and it sounded like it "was flooding out". The pilot reported that he had personally refueled the airplane on the day before the accident. He also reported that he had not done a complete preflight examination of the airplane and that he had not checked the fuel tanks nor had he drained the fuel sumps. Weather radar data and witness reports revealed it had rained in the area the night before. A postaccident examination of the airplane disclosed the presence of water contamination in the gascolator, but there were no other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination and operational test run of the engine showed the ability of the engine to produce rated horsepower.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731JF-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N 18802926, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- 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: 18802926
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 7095
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Rice County Aerial Sprayers Inc, doing business as Rice County Aerial Sprayers Inc
- Registered owner: William C Hoeffner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2013, 31 hours before
- Departed: LYO, Lyons, KS
- Destination: LYO, Lyons, KS
- Airport: LYO, Lyons-Rice Co Municipal Arpt
- Equipment: Data recorder

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2011; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 724 total, 183 in this make and model, 617 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KHUT, 24 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 20130507012429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130507012429A), May 7, 2013: Cessna A188B, Lyons, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot was demonstrating a spray swath over the turf runway(17L) at Lyons-Rice County Airport (lyo). Pilot had completed the first pass over the turf runway…

## Docket (17 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86830. 11.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement - Phillip Mefford (item 2, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Phillip%20Mefford-Master.PDF
- Summary of IIC's conversations with the Operator and the Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20IIC%27s%20conversations%20with%20the%20Operator%20and%20the%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Summary of IIC's conversations with FAA Inspectors and their on-scene findings (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20IIC%27s%20conversations%20with%20FAA%20Inspectors%20and%20their%20on-scene%20findings-Master.PDF
- Postaccident Gasoline Fuel Quality Testing by Operator (item 5, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Postaccident%20Gasoline%20Fuel%20Quality%20Testing%20by%20Operator-Master.PDF
- Map - Diagram of Ramp and Fuel Facilities (item 6, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20-%20Diagram%20of%20Ramp%20and%20Fuel%20Facilities-Master.PDF
- Summary of data from GPS Sat-Loc (including maps showing the wreckage location) (item 7, .PDF, 489 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20data%20from%20GPS%20Sat-Loc%20%20(including%20maps%20showing%20the%20wreckage%20location)-Master.PDF
- GPS Sat-Loc - Tabular Data (item 8, .CSV, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405371&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=GPS%20Sat-Loc%20-%20Tabular%20Data-Master.csv
- Weather Reports (item 9, .PDF, 706 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Wreckage Viewed From the Right Front (FAA Photo) (item 10, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20Viewed%20From%20the%20Right%20Front%20%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - View From the Left Rear (FAA Photo) (item 11, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20From%20the%20Left%20Rear%20%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Close View From the Left Front (FAA Photo) (item 12, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Close%20View%20From%20the%20Left%20Front%20%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Showing Damage to Pilot's Helmet (FAA Photo) (item 13, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Pilot%27s%20Helmet%20%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Technical Report from Cessna Aircraft Company (item 14, .PDF, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Technical%20Report%20from%20Cessna%20Aircraft%20Company-Master.PDF
- Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Engine Operational Test Report from Continental Motors, Inc. (item 15, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Engine%20Operational%20Test%20Report%20from%20Continental%20Motors,%20Inc.-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 16, .PDF, 401 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 17, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF

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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