# NTSB DEN84LA181: Cessna A188B, N731GL, Opheim, MT, June 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1984, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Opheim, MT
- Coordinates: 48.870357, -106.559684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8704&lon=-106.5597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA181

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,drain - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED IN A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID THAT SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT HEDISCOVERED THE FUEL CROSSOVER QUICK DRAIN WAS 'FROZEN' SHUT AND WOULD NOT DRAIN. HE REMOVED THE DRAIN TO LUBRICATE IT AND UPON REINSTALLATION HE COULD NOT PROPERLY SAFETY WIRE IT DUE LACK OF ACCESS. HE WIRED IT TO AN ADJACENT SCREW. AFTERTHE ACCIDENT THE SCREW, WIRE AND DRAIN WERE MISSING. HE STATED THAT IT WAS 'POSSIBLE' THAT HE DID NOT RETIGHTEN THE SCREW. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT HAD 21 GALLONS OF FUEL FOR THIS FLT WHICH LASTED 45 MINUTES. THE ACFT, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, BURNS ABOUT 15.5 GALS/HR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731GL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731GL-2001-09-28), registration cancelled 2001-09-28, S/N 18802884T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802884T
- Airframe hours: 899
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Frank Redfield
- Registered owner: Frank Redfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 295° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °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 19840619029739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840619029739A), Jun 19, 1984: Cessna A188B, Opheim, MT, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on pullup. Stalled going over wires. Impacted in level attitude. Pilot failed to secure strainer.

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.

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