# NTSB CHI90DEM03: Cessna T188, N9441J, Williamsburg, MI, May 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1990, 06:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Williamsburg, MI
- Coordinates: 44.760375, -85.399803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7604&lon=-85.3998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM03

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FT AGL, A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT JETTISONED THE CHEMICAL LOAD AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN ORCHARD, THEN MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID A RESIDENTIAL AREA. HOWEVER, WHILE BEING MANEUVERED, THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED POWER LINES AND TREES. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT WAS DESTROYED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9441J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9441J-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N T18803806T, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188
- Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803806T
- Airframe hours: 1375
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Morrison Orchards
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1990, 31 hours before
- Departed: MI03, ELK RAPIDS, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,250 total, 635 in this make and model, 3,050 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 8 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 19900522017199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900522017199A), May 22, 1990: Cessna T188C, Elk Rapids, MI, Destroyed. Engine lost power on takeoff. Dumped load,struck wires,crashed and burned in orchard. Cause power loss not given.

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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