# NTSB CHI98LA162: Cessna A188B, N4962Q, Crookston, MN, May 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1998, 20:15 local (May 18, 1998, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Crookston, MN - Coordinates: 47.770736, -96.59999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7707&lon=-96.6000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10885/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA162 ## Probable cause the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane. Factors included the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion when the pilot failed to refuel the airplane. Another factor was fatigue. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fuel system - exhaustion (contributing factor) - aircraft service - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - fatigue(flight and ground schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he started aerial spraying between 0530 and 0600 CDT that morning and continued spraying until the time of the accident. He departed the airport with another load of chemical but had not refueled. He reported that he was heading for a field at 100 to 150 feet above ground level when the engine quit. He reported, 'I immediately looked for a place to land and had to resort to a muddy field. While maneuvering the airplane stalled. While trying to recover the airplane struck the ground.' The pilot stated in a phone interview, 'I'm sure it ran out of gas.' He reported that airplane had been running well all day and had given no indications of anything going wrong. The pilot also stated, 'Fatigue was a major factor in all circumstances leading to the accident.' ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1998, at 2015 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, operated by Coauette Aviation, was substantially damaged when it lost engine power during cruise and impacted a field during an emergency landing three miles south of Crookston, Minnesota. The pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight departed from Fertile Municipal Airport, Fertile, Minnesota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he had started aerial spraying between 0530 and 0600 CDT that morning and continued spraying until the time of the accident. He departed the Fertile Airport with another load of chemical but had not refueled. He reported that as he was heading for a field at 100 to 150 feet above ground level, the engine quit. He reported, "I immediately looked for a place to land and had to resort to a muddy field. While maneuvering the airplane stalled. While trying to recover the airplane struck the ground." The pilot stated in a phone interview, "I'm sure it ran out of gas." He reported that airplane had been running well all day and had given no indications of anything going wrong. The pilot also stated, "Fatigue was a major factor in all circumstances leading to the accident." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4962Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4962Q-2017-06-22), registration cancelled 2017-06-22, S/N 18802696T, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18802696T - Airframe hours: 3526 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D2B 300 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Coauette Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: D14, FERTILE, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 628 total, 340 in this make and model, 504 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 14 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CKN, 20 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 19980517009689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980517009689A), May 17, 1998: Cessna A188B, Crookston, MN, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that he started aerial spraying between 0530 and 0600 CDT that morning and continued spraying until the time of the accident. He… ## Other investigations on N4962Q (2) 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 CHI91DEM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEM07), Jul 23, 1991: Cessna 188B (N4962Q), Munger, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A PREMATURE LIFTOFF BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT RUNWAY SURFACE AND A STALL/MUSH. - [NTSB MIA78FKG82](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKG82), Sep 20, 1978: Cessna 188B (N4962Q), Brooklett, GA, 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.