# NTSB DEN07LA114: Cessna A188B, N9076R, Ulysses, KS, July 9, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2007, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Ulysses, KS - Coordinates: 37.603889, -101.373336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6039&lon=-101.3733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66161/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA114 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, approximately 150 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. The airplane impacted vegetation and came to rest in a field. The right wing was bent and the engine mount structure was partially separated from the firewall. Examination of the fuel system revealed no fuel in the fuel line from the engine driven fuel pump to the fuel metering valve, and from the metering valve to the fuel injection manifold. No anomalies were noted with the fuel pump. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2007, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B single-engine agricultural airplane, N9076R, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb near Ulysses, Kansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Tri Rotor Spray and Chemical, Ulysses, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, prior to departure, the airplane was refueled with 18 gallons of fuel and 150 gallons of chemical. Shortly after takeoff, approximately 150 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. The pilot did not hear a bang or pop prior the loss of engine power. The airplane began a descent toward terrain and the pilot dumped the load of chemical. The pilot "rode the buffet and flared above the corn." Subsequently, the airplane impacted the vegetation and came to rest in the field. Examination of the airplane by the operator revealed the right wing was bent and the engine mount structure was partially separated from the firewall. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no fuel was observed in the fuel line from the engine driven fuel pump to the fuel metering valve, and from the metering valve to the fuel injection manifold. The fuel metering valve appeared to operate normally, and no restrictions were noted in the fuel lines or the fuel metering valve. Further inspection of the fuel pump revealed the un-metered fuel adjustment bolt was separated from the diaphragm cover, and a portion of the cover was fractured. The inspector disassembled the pump and no other anomalies were noted. The fuel pump was retained for further examination by the NTSB's Materials Laboratory. According to the NTSB, examination of the fracture surfaces at the diaphragm cover displayed a clean, rough, grainy surface, consistent with an overload event. One corner of the adjusting screw's locking nut had left an impression in the cap material that was consistent with the adjusting screw being impacted. Examination of the airplane's maintenance records showed the engine driven fuel pump had been removed and repaired on May 24, 2007. The reason for the fuel pump repairs was not noted. The aircraft accumulated 32.4 hours of operation after the fuel pump was repaired. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9076R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9076R-2020-05-02), registration cancelled 2020-05-02, S/N 18802101T, built 1975 (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: 18802101T - Airframe hours: 5363.6 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Tri Rotor Spray and Chemical - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007, 153.8 hours before - Departed: Ulysses, KS - Airport: Private Airptrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 2,426 total, 53 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ULS, 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 20070709016849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070709016849A), Jul 9, 2007: Cessna A188B, Ulysses, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 9, 2007, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B single-engine agricultural airplane, N9076R, sustained substantial damage when… ## Other investigations on N9076R (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 CEN18LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA342), Aug 17, 2018: Cessna A188 (N9076R), Whitewater, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to low cylinder compression, which led to the forced landing following a pull-up maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s high gross weight. - [NTSB CHI00LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA147), May 26, 2000: Cessna A188B (N9076R), Sublette, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the pilot to attain aircraft control. Factors to the accident were the uneven terrain, the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control on the ground, and the crop. 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.