# NTSB DEN08LA103: Cessna A188B, N9639G, Lyons, KS, June 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 2008, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Lyons, KS - Coordinates: 38.342777, -98.226669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3428&lon=-98.2267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68245 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68245/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA103 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the dirt embankment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Several days preceding the accident, the pilot experienced engine problems during an attempted aerial application flight. After maintenance was performed, the airplane underwent several engine test runs and a couple of test flights with no problems noted. On the day of the accident, the airplane was loaded with approximately 150 gallons of chemical. After takeoff, the pilot turned the airplane in a direction opposite of his intended destination in order to over fly the airport in case of an emergency. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine was running okay and no problems were noted. Approximately 1 to 1.5 miles from the airport, the engine "pulled down," and the pilot could not maintain altitude. The pilot stated, "I am now sure the engine was trying to seize up and I was again forced to land." The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a dirt embankment, went onto its nose, and came to rest upright. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 2008, approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B single-engine agricultural airplane, N9639G, sustained substantial damage when it impact terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lyons, Kansas. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Ellinwood Flying Service, Inc., Ellinwood, Kansas, and operated by Rice County Aerial Sprayers, Lyons, 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, on May 26, 2008, he experienced an engine problem during an attempted aerial application flight, and landed successfully in an open field near the Lyons airport. After maintenance was performed which included new spark plugs, and checking the fuel and oil systems; the airplane underwent several engine test runs and a couple of test flights with no problems noted. On the day of the accident, the airplane was loaded with approximately 150 gallons of chemical. After takeoff, the pilot turned the airplane in a direction opposite of his intended destination in order to over fly the airport in case of an emergency. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine was running okay and no problems were noted. Approximately 1 to 1.5 miles from the airport, the engine "pulled down," and the pilot could not maintain altitude. The pilot stated, "I am now sure the engine was trying to seize up and I was again forced to land." The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a dirt embankment, went onto its nose, and came to rest upright. In 2002, the Continental IO-520-D engine underwent a major overhaul. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated approximately 600 hours since major overhaul. The engine underwent its most recent 100-hour inspection on January 15, 2008. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no anomalies. The oil filter and oil screens were clear of debris. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9639G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9639G-2016-04-21), registration cancelled 2016-04-21, S/N 18801575, built 1974 (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: 18801575 - Airframe hours: 4360 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Rice County Aerial Sprayers Inc - Registered owner: Ellinwood Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2008, 59 hours before - Departed: LYO, Lyons, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 449 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F ## 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 20080612838709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080612838709A), Jun 12, 2008: Cessna A188B, Substantial damage. (-23) On 5-26-08 the aircraft departed lyons rice county airport (lyo) with approximately 170 gallons of chemical onboard to perform an aerial application.… ## Other investigations on N9639G (1) 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 CHI02LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA223), Jul 31, 2002: Cessna A188B (N9639G), Nickerson, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel starvation due to the fuel contamination, the blocked fuel strainer, and the refueling truck's contaminated fuel. A factor was the berm. 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.