# NTSB CEN14CA395: Cessna A188B, N730GU, Milford, NE, July 23, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2014, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Milford, NE - Coordinates: 40.766944, -97.077774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7669&lon=-97.0778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89765 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA395 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89765/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89765 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA395 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper engine mixture setting which reduced available engine power, and his inadvertent retraction of flaps which resulted in an impact with crops and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Flight control system: lE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022780): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022780/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022780/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the agricultural airplane was loaded and was taking off when the accident occurred. He stated that he set the engine mixture control for best power and proceeded to take off. He stated that the takeoff roll took longer than expected and when the airplane was approaching the departure end of the runway he realized that the engine was not producing the power that he expected. As the end of the runway approached he added a second notch of flaps and the airplane lifted off and cleared the road and the corn crop on the opposite side of the road. The airplane's airspeed started to reduce and the pilot attempted to dump the chemical load, but inadvertently grabbed the flap handle and retracted the flaps. By the time he realized that he had inadvertently retracted the flaps the airplane impacted the corn crop and terrain and subsequently came to rest inverted. The airplane suffered substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot surmised that he had inadvertently leaned the engine mixture control too much prior to the takeoff which resulted in a reduction in available engine power. He made no mention of any pre-impact deficiencies with regard to the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the agricultural airplane was loaded and was taking off when the accident occurred. He stated that he set the engine mixture control for best power and proceeded to take off. He stated that the takeoff roll took longer than expected and when the airplane was approaching the departure end of the runway he realized that the engine was not producing the power that he expected. As the end of the runway approached he added a second notch of flaps and the airplane lifted off and cleared the road and the corn crop on the opposite side of the road. The airplane's airspeed started to reduce and the pilot attempted to dump the chemical load, but inadvertently grabbed the flap handle and retracted the flaps. By the time he realized that he had inadvertently retracted the flaps the airplane impacted the corn crop and terrain and subsequently came to rest inverted. The airplane suffered substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot surmised that he had inadvertently leaned the engine mixture control too much prior to the takeoff which resulted in a reduction in available engine power. He made no mention of any pre-impact deficiencies with regard to the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N730GU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N730GU-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 18800977T, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B (B) - 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: 18800977T - Year built: 1972 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Roth Aerial Spraying Inc - Registered owner: High Plains Aerial LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NE65, Milford, NE - Destination: NE65, Milford, NE - Airport: NE65, Roth, runway 36, 2,640 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: LNK, 15 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 20140723015629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140723015629A), Jul 23, 2014: Cessna A188B, Milford, NE, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had leaned mixture improperly. He had deteriorated engine power on takeoff and had used most of runway. He added additional flap to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89765. 63 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.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. --- 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.