Cessna T188C N2030J accident, Lamar, CO, May 25, 2004 · NTSB DEN04CA080

Probable cause

The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude.

Analysis

The pilot reported he had made several passes on a field when he noticed his airspeed was low (80 miles per hour) with a normal power setting of 32 inches manifold pressure and 2,500 rpm. The pilot said he leveled the airplane's wings and lowered the nose. He said when the airspeed did not increase he went to full power. The pilot said his airspeed continued to decay. The airplane was also descending. The pilot said he unsuccessfully attempted to dump his 125 gallons of chemical. The airplane mushed into the field. An examination of the airplane showed the propeller broken off in torsion. The airplane's left wing was bent back, and the airplane's left main landing gear was broken aft. An examination of the airplane's systems showed no anomalies.

Factual narrative

On May 25, 2004, at 1830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C, N2030J, impacted terrain 6 miles north-northeast of Lamar, Colorado. The commercial pilot on board was not injured. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from a private airstrip located 17 miles northeast of Lamar, at 1815.

The pilot reported he had made several passes on a field when he noticed his airspeed was low (80 miles per hour) with a normal power setting of 32 inches manifold pressure and 2,500 rpm. The pilot said he leveled the airplane's wings and lowered the nose. He said when the airspeed did not increase he went to full power. The pilot said his airspeed continued to decay. The airplane was also descending. The pilot said he unsuccessfully attempted to dump his 125 gallons of chemical. The airplane mushed into the field.

An examination of the airplane showed the propeller broken off in torsion. The airplane's left wing was bent back, and the airplane's left main landing gear was broken aft.

Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's systems showed no anomalies.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanicalManeuvering - aerial application

Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause

Forced landingDescent - emergency

Loss of control - in flightManeuvering - aerial application

Airspeed - inadequatePilot in commandCause

Stall/mush

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Terrain condition - crop

Aircraft

Registration: N2030J
Reported as: Cessna T188C
Category: Airplane
Serial number: T188-03335T
Engine: Continental TSIO-520T, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Aerial application · Part 137
Registered owner: Bruce B. Bremner
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
Departed: Lamar, CO

N2030JRegistration cancelled May 17, 2007 · Cessna T188CS/N T18803335T · Built 1978 Airframe modelCessna T188C Engine modelContinental IO-520 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 65
Injuries: None
Certificates: Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings: Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings: Airplane
Medical: Class 2
Flight hours: 9,000 total · 1,900 in this make and model · 15 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 110° at 7 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Observed at: LAA

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20040524010119ACessna T188C · Lamar, CO(-23) In the evening of 24 may 2004, pilot bruce bremner, was conducting an aerial spraying operation 6 miles north-northeast of Lamar Colorado at about 1800 local time. Mr. Bremner had made several passes on the field when he noticed his airspeed had decayed…May 24, 2004 · N2030J · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N2030J · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB FTW96LA022Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTahoka, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires. Factors were the loss of aileron control and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.Oct 20, 1995 · Substantial damage