# NTSB CHI88DET04: Cessna A188B, N5550G, Preu, IN, August 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1988, 19:00 local (Aug 7, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Preu, IN
- Coordinates: 40.750877, -86.059501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7509&lon=-86.0595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DET04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DET04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, unknown (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AERIAL APPLICATOR EXPERIENCED TOTAL FAILURE OF THROTTLE CABLE DURING APPLICATION SWATH RUN. AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN PILOT EXECUTED FORCED LANDING IN ADJACENT CROP FIELD. AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE HAD RECEIVED ANNUAL INSPECTION 125 HOURS PRIOR TO FAILURE. POST ACC INVEST REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE BROKE, ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO GO TO IDLE RPM. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG ORIGINALLY HAD A SPRING, SLEEVE, AND BRACKET ASSY TO PROVIDE POWER IN CASE OF A CABLE FAILURE. THESE ITEMS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REMOVED FROM THE ENG BY PERSONS UNKNOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5550G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5550G-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 18801112, built 1972 (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: 1881112
- Airframe hours: 3134
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Wayne Eck
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1988, 125 hours before
- Departed: OKK, KOKOMO, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; flight hours: 8,075 total, 3,550 in this make and model, 8,025 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19880806030869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880806030869A), Aug 6, 1988: Cessna A188B, Peru, IN, Substantial damage. During a spray run the throttle cable broke allowing engine to to idle. Crash landed in a soybean field.

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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