# NTSB CHI99LA128: Cessna T-188C, N2173J, Dalton, NE, April 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 1999, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Dalton, NE - Coordinates: 41.400127, -102.969177 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4001&lon=-102.9692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46083/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA128 ## Probable cause the improper adjustment of the fuel pump by maintenance personnel. Factors to the accident were the excessive output of the fuel pump, trees, residential structure, fence, and propane tank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - fuel system,pump - excessive flow/output (contributing factor) - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - object - residence (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) - object - other (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated that the takeoff run was uneventful, but during the climb the engine experienced a substantial loss of power. The pilot reported that he did not have, '... time, airspeed, or altitude to turn.' The airplane impacted the top of a tree line, a residential structure, a fence, and a propane tank before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the airframe and the flight control system. The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with 120 gallons of a chemical mixture and was within the weight and balance limitations for the aircraft. The fuel pump was tested and was found to be outside the manufacture's limitations. The maximum allowable fuel pressure, at 2,700 rpm and 39.5 inches of mercury, is 37.0 psi. The fuel pump from the accident airplane was bench-tested and yielded 60 psi. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 1999, at 1705 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T-188C, N2173J, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during initial climb, near Dalton, Nebraska. The airplane impacted a line of trees, a residential structure, a propane storage tank, and a fence during the forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was departing a private airstrip near Dalton, Nebraska at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the takeoff run was uneventful, but when the aircraft departed the runway the engine experienced a substantial loss of power. The pilot reported that he did not have, "... time, airspeed, or altitude to turn." The pilot stated that the airplane impacted the top of a tree line, a residential structure, a fence, and a propane tank before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the airframe and the flight control system. The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with 120 gallons of a chemical mixture and was within the weight and balance limitations for the aircraft. The fuel pump was tested and was found to be outside the manufacture's limitations. The maximum allowable fuel pressure, at 2,700 rpm and 39.5 inches of mercury, is 37.0 psi. The fuel pump from the accident airplane was bench-tested and yielded 60 psi. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2173J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2173J-2003-12-16), registration cancelled 2003-12-16, S/N T18803410T, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T-188C - 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: T18803410T - Airframe hours: 3741 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ag Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1999, 21 hours before - Departed: PVT - Airport: PVT, Paul Benish Airport, runway 17, 3,800 × 30 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,741 total, 6,700 in this make and model, 10,300 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SNY, 355 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 19990413003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990413003289A), Apr 13, 1999: Cessna T188C, Dalton, NE, Substantial damage. Acft engine lost power on take-off, other circumstances are unknown. (-23) Cessna T188C, N2173J, departed a private strip 1/2 mile east of Dalton, NE., to… 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.