# NTSB CHI97LA273: Cessna 188B, N21639, South Haven, MI, August 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 1997, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: South Haven, MI - Coordinates: 42.400913, -86.269767 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4009&lon=-86.2698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10684 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10684/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA273 ## Probable cause failure of a connecting rod in the engine assembly, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: lack of a recommended engine overhaul, and the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing. ## 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,connecting rod - failure (contributing factor) - maintenance,overhaul,major - not performed, company/operator management (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis After pulling up from a swath run, the engine lost power. The pilot then made a forced landing in a blue berry field. Postaccident investigation revealed a failed connecting rod in the engine. The engine had accumulated 1,900 hours since the last overhaul. The manufacturer's recommended interval for overhaul was 1,200 hours. The company owner said that he knew the engine was going to need an overhaul; however, he hoped that it would last until the aerial application season was over. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 1997, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N21639, registered to Robertson Crop Dusting Services of South Haven, Michigan, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a crop field near South Haven, Michigan. The pilot reported that the engine lost all power. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed about 1210. A post accident investigation found that there was an internal failure of a connecting rod. The engine had a total time in service since the last major overhaul of 1,900 hours. The manufacturers recommendation for overhaul is 1,200 hours. The owner of the airplane said that he was hoping that the engine would last through the spraying season and that he intended to overhaul it during the off season. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21639](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21639-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 18800925, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188B - Registry model: [Cessna 188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-188b) (registry code 2073007) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18800925 - Airframe hours: 5067 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robertson Crop Dusting Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1997, 296 hours before - Departed: 0D1, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,017 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,997 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KBE, 17 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 19970826024209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970826024209A), Aug 26, 1997: Cessna 188B, South Haven, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine failed during aerial application. (.4)after pulling up from a swath run, the engine lost power. The pilot then made a forced landing in a blue… 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.