CHI96LA282

The pilot stated that he was about to make his third pass on a cornfield when the engine tachometer went to 800 rpm. There was 'no popping, no warning, just low power.' The pilot put the airplane down in the cornfield. On touchdown, the landing gear dug into the mud. Examination of the airplane's engine revealed that the number four cylinder exhaust valve push rod was broken and the number four cylinder intake valve push rod was bent.

On July 26, 1996, at 1540 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 188, N8086V, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when during aerial application the airplane's engine lost power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted in a cornfield 7 miles southwest of Santanta, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Santanta, Kansas, at 1530 cdt.

In his written statement, the pilot stated that he was circling to the southeast to make his third pass on a cornfield when the engine tachometer went to 800 rpm. There was "no popping, no warning, just low power. I turned into the wind, (and) tried moving the throttle back and forth. I knew I had to put it [the airplane] down. It was not going to run. I aimed for the road but came up about 75 feet short. The field was muddy and the gear came off."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage found the airplane resting upright at the edge of a wet cornfield. Both of the main landing gear were bent to the right, outboard of the attach blocks, and were broken off. The cowling, firewall and forward fuselage were bent aft and to the right. The airplane skin aft of the cowling on the right side was wrinkled. The leading edge of the stub wings were dented at the roots. Both propeller blades were bent back slightly. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Engine controls and other airplane systems showed no anomalies. The fuel tank was full. Fuel samples were taken. The engine was retained for further testing.

The engine was examined at Santanta, Kansas, on August 22, 1996. The engine was left mounted to the airplane engine mounts and ran. The engine ran rough. The engine was next torn down and examined. The examination showed that the number four cylinder exhaust valve push rod was broken and the number four cylinder intake valve push rod was bent. A fuel sample taken at the accident site showed no signs of contamination.