# NTSB CHI00LA012: Cessna A188B, N731PU, Sprague, NE, October 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 1999, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Sprague, NE - Coordinates: 40.629768, -96.740287 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6298&lon=-96.7403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47619 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47619/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA012 ## Probable cause Engine failure due to fouled and rusted spark plugs, and a clogged fuel filter. Factors relating to this accident were the inadequate annual inspection performed on the airplane, the trees and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause) - fuel system,filter - obstructed (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (contributing factor) - maintenance,compliance with ad - not complied with, owner/pilot mechanic - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that he was flying to the north around 20 feet above the ground, when the engine quit. 'There was no sputtering or warning. It just quit.' The pilot checked the throttle and pulled on the flaps to slow the airplane. 'There was no place to land, so I went into some trees and hit a ditch which flipped me over.' Examination of the airplane's engine revealed that the bottom spark plugs were lead-fouled, and rusted. Examination of the other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. Further examination of the engine revealed that the fuel strainer filter was clogged with debris identified as dirt and rust. An examination of the airplane's maintenance records showed that several airworthiness directives applicable to the airplane had not been complied with. Additionally, several airplane system items requiring annual inspection under 14 CFR part 43 had not been accomplished. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 1999, at 0845 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N731PU, sustained substantial damage when it struck a berm, brush, and trees, before nosing over. Subsequent to the impact, the airplane's engine lost power while maneuvering following a chemical application pass to a farm field near Sprague, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. No flight plan was on file. The pilot sustained minor injuries in the accident. The local flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip at Adams, Nebraska. In his written statement, the pilot said that he was flying to the north around 20 feet above the ground, when the engine quit. The pilot said he checked the throttle and pulled on the flaps to slow the airplane. "There was no place to land, so I went into some trees and hit a ditch which flipped me over." The pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had just completed his final pass on the field and was getting ready to return to his airstrip when the engine just quit. "There was no sputtering or warning. It just quit." A FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was resting upside-down in a field, next to a ditch. Both wings were bent back. The left wing spar was bent aft. The main landing gear were twisted. The top of the airplane's fuselage was crushed inward slightly. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed inward and bent over. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the airplane's engine revealed that the bottom spark plugs were lead-fouled, and rusted. Examination of the other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. Further examination of the engine revealed that the fuel strainer filter was clogged with debris identified as dirt and rust. An examination of the airplane's maintenance records showed that several airworthiness directives applicable to the airplane had not been complied with. Additionally, several airplane system items requiring annual inspection under 14 CFR part 43 had not been accomplished. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731PU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731PU-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 18803055T, 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: 18803055T - Airframe hours: 3807 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James Clyde Young - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1999, 25 hours before - Departed: ADAMS, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 8,900 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LNK, 16 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 19991020047169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991020047169A), Oct 20, 1999: Cessna A188B, Sprague, NE, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot said that he was flying to the north around 20 feet above the ground, when the engine quit. 'There was no sputtering or warning. It just quit.'… 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.