# NTSB CHI96LA282: Cessna 188-230, N8086V, Santanta, KS, July 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1996, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Santanta, KS - Coordinates: 37.430049, -100.979614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4300&lon=-100.9796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10349/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA282 ## Probable cause a loss of power due to a broken number four cylinder exhaust valve push rod and a bent number four cylinder intake valve push rod. The wet, soft cornfield was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,push rod - sheared (cause) - engine assembly,push rod - bent (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8086V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8086V), registered now, S/N 188-0336 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188-230 - Registry model: [Cessna 188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-188) (registry code 2073002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 188-0336 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Santanta Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 1K9 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 593 total, 250 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 286 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °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 19960726021329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960726021329A), Jul 26, 1996: Cessna 188CESSNA, Santana, KS, Substantial damage. RPM dropped to 500 during spray ops. Tried for road. Came short. Wiped gear in muddy field. Exhaust valve broken. ## Other investigations on N8086V (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC69D0109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0109), Aug 2, 1968: Cessna 188 (N8086V), Ulysses, KS, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.