# NTSB CHI91DCJ04: Cessna T188C, N2872J, Grand Island, NE, August 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1991, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Grand Island, NE
- Location: 40.9214° N, 98.3586° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Island, NE, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9214&lon=-98.3586&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DCJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCJ04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM CROPS DURING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS.  RELATED FACTORS ARE THE FAILURE OF A PROPELLER PITCH CHANGE MECHANISM AND THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories - surge
  - low pass
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - crop
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS MAKING A LOW PASS (ABOUT 4 FEET ABOVE THE CROPS) FOR PURPOSE OF AERIAL APPLICATION WHEN 'THE ENGINE SURGED....' WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM HE TOOK HIS EYES OFF THE CROP.  HE REPORTED 'THE NEXT THING I KNEW I WAS IN THE CORN, I PULLED BACK OUT OF IT, BUT THE INTAKE HAD INGESTED TOO MUCH CORN.  THE ENGINE SEEMED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS...' THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROW OF CEDAR AND SETTLED INTO A CORN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2872J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2872J-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N T18803547T, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- 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: T18803547T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-520T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Muckel'S
- Registered owner: James D. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: NONE, PROSSER, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,125 total, 404 in this make and model, 3,125 as pilot in command, 315 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910801031129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910801031129A), Aug 1, 1991: Cessna T188C, Grand Island, NE, Substantial damage. Propeller blade actuating link broke in the hub,allowed the blade to go into flat pitch. Struck trees on landing.

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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