# NTSB CHI98LA245: Cessna 188B, N9247R, Atlanta, NE, July 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1998, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, NE - Coordinates: 40.359077, -99.469436 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3591&lon=-99.4694&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 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10956 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10956/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA245 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a loose 'B' nut on the fuel line fitting. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintain and the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,line fitting - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a sprayer calibration test when the engine suffered a substantial loss of power. The pilot was operating at approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl) at the time of the power loss. The pilot stated that he was at too low an altitude to trouble shoot the power loss and maneuver the aircraft into an open field. Upon touch down the left main gear dug into the soft mud, collapsed the left main gear, which resulted in the left wing impacting the terrain. The pilot stated that the aircraft rotated about the left wing, approximately 80-degrees, and then came to a stop. Post accident investigation revealed that the engine would not sustain power at idle or any power setting with the fuel boost pump in the 'Off ' position. Investigation of the fuel system revealed that the 'B' nut on the fuel line from the firewall to the back of the engine was loose. After the nut had been tightened the engine performed, without hesitation, at all power settings with the fuel pump in the 'Off' position. No other aircraft or engine anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1998, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N9247R, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain, following a loss of engine power while maneuvering, near Atlanta, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 maintenance flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed a private airstrip near Atlanta, Nebraska, for a sprayer calibration test flight, at 1545. According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot was performing a sprayer calibration test when the engine suffered a substantial loss of power. The pilot was operating at approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl) at the time of the power loss. The pilot stated that he was at too low of an altitude to trouble shoot the power loss and maneuvered the aircraft into an open field. Upon touch down the left main gear dug into the soft mud, collapsed the left main gear, which resulted in the left wing impacting the terrain. The pilot stated that the aircraft rotated about the left wing, approximately 80-degrees, and then came to a stop. Post accident investigation revealed that the engine would not sustain power at idle or any power setting with the fuel boost pump in the "Off " position. Investigation of the fuel system revealed that the "B" nut on the fuel line from the firewall to the back of the engine was loose. After the nut had been tightened the engine preformed, without hesitation, at all power settings with the fuel pump in the "Off" position. No other aircraft or engine anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9247R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9247R-2006-10-05), registration cancelled 2006-10-05, S/N 18802185T, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188B - 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: 18802185T - Airframe hours: 5248 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D31B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Sunrise Ag Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1998, 72 hours before - Departed: PVT, ATLANTA, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,261 total, 1,779 in this make and model, 3,175 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HDE, 10 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 19980711016559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980711016559A), Jul 11, 1998: Cessna A188B, Atlanta, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was maneuvering aircraft during aerial application operations when power was lost. Pilot made an emergency landing in adjacent field. Aircraft… 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.