# NTSB CHI94LA240: Cessna A188B, N9140G, Wymore, NE, July 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1994, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Wymore, NE
- Coordinates: 40.119457, -96.659294 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1195&lon=-96.6593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA240

## Probable cause

failure of the fuel injector pump due to improper assembly.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,rebuild/remanufacture - improper, unknown (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was about 100 feet AGL when the engine lost power.  He made an emergency landing in a plowed field about one half mile from the departure end of the runway.  Investigation revealed the fuel injector pump failed because a spring retaining plate was not installed.

## Factual narrative

On July 23, 1994, at 0815 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B airplane, N9140G, operated by Harold Thomsen 4 Aerial Application of Wymore, Nebraska, was destroyed during a forced landing shortly after takeoff at Thomsen Field near Wymore, Nebraska.  The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight conducted under CFR 14 Part 137.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported he was about 100 feet AGL when the engine lost power.  He made an emergency landing in a plowed field about one half mile from the departure end of the runway.  He said the landing gear collapsed during the landing.

The wreckage was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who reported no evidence of preexisting aircraft malfunction.  The engine was installed in a test cell by Central Cylinder Service Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska.  The engine started uneventfully but lost power at 1600 rpm due to a loss of fuel pump pressure.  A serviceable fuel injector pump was installed and the engine performed normally.

Inspection of the fuel injector pump revealed one spring retaining plate was not installed.  The model and serial numbers on the faulty pump were different from those specified in the engine log book.  Investigation failed to reveal the source of the faulty pump.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9140G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801392T
- Airframe hours: 3704
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-FCD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Harold L. Thomsen, doing business as Harold Thomsen 4 Aerial Applic
- Registered owner: Harold L. Thomsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1994, 44 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,489 total, 586 in this make and model, 4,489 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Temperature: 70 °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 19940723019239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940723019239A), Jul 23, 1994: Cessna A188B, Wymore, NE, Destroyed. Lost power on climbout. Collapsed gear on off airport landing. One spring retaining fuel pump plate not installed.

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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