# NTSB CHI98LA240: Cessna T188C, N9957J, Austin, MN, July 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1998, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Austin, MN - Coordinates: 43.670906, -92.970779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6709&lon=-92.9708&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 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10952 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10952/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA240 ## Probable cause the improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel. Factors were the throttle control not safetied, the crops, and unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - throttle/power lever,push/pull rod - not safetied (contributing factor) - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis While on a swath run the engine suffered a loss of power. The pilot said that at 80 feet he was unable to avoid unsuitable terrain in his initiating a forced landing. After the accident it was found that a cotter pin had been left out of the throttle control during maintenance earlier on the day of the accident. A mechanic who had done the maintenance stated, 'I had it apart, and I think I just didn't safety it.' ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1998, at 1545 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N9957J, while conducting a swath run dispensing chemicals, the engine suffered a loss of power and the pilot initiated a forced landing, impacting the terrain 4.5 miles southeast of Austin Municipal Airport, Austin Minnesota. The commercial pilot received no injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated as a commercial flight under 14 Part 137 and performing aerial applications when the accident occurred. The flight originated from Austin Municipal Airport at 1515. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was on file. The pilot said in his written statement that maintenance was performed on the throttle and mixture control about "noon" on the day of the accident. He said that he resumed aerial application work about 1300 and at 1544 suffered a loss of engine power. He initiated a forced landing from about 80 feet above ground level and impacted crops and the terrain during the touchdown. An inspection subsequent to the accident found that a cotter pin was left out of the throttle control and the castle nut had fallen off. The mechanic who performed the work made a written statement, in which he said, "I had it apart, and I think I just didn't safety it." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9957J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9957J-2006-09-05), registration cancelled 2006-09-05, S/N T18803886T, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803886T - Airframe hours: 5363 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Midwest Ag-Air - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1998, 68 hours before - Departed: AUM, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 964 total, 258 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AUM, 5 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 19980706015969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980706015969A), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna T188C, Austin, MN, Substantial damage. (.4)While on a swath run the engine suffered a loss of power. The pilot said that at 80 feet he was unable to avoid unsuitable terrain in his initiating a… ## Other investigations on N9957J (4) 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 CHI00LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA198), Jul 15, 2000: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Rock Dell, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the terrain. - [NTSB LAX97LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA293), Aug 15, 1997: Cessna 188 (N9957J), Eloy, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control due to inadequate rudder use. - [NTSB FTW89DQG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG06), Sep 5, 1989: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Levelland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO A LEAK IN THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. - [NTSB LAX83LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA142), Mar 16, 1983: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Clarksburg, CA, 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.