# NTSB DEN90LA158: Cessna T-188, N2087J, Devils Lake, ND, July 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1990, 19:30 local (Jul 9, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Devils Lake, ND
- Coordinates: 48.109149, -98.870544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1091&lon=-98.8705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA158

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN IS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS FLYING TO CLEAN HIS SPRAY EQUIPMENT. DURING LOW LEVEL CRUISE, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT STATED IN A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION THAT HE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT SELECTED A FIELD AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT SPRAY BOOM DUG INTO THE TERRAIN AND THE PLANE WAS TWISTED, DAMAGING THE FUSELAGE, TAIL SECTION AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2087J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2087J-2004-12-09), registration cancelled 2004-12-09, S/N T18803377T, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T-188
- 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: T-18803377T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T1 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: William F. Wakefield
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,031 total, 120 in this make and model, 4,913 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900708025419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900708025419A), Jul 8, 1990: Cessna T188C, Devils Lake, ND, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on local flight to clean out spray boom and nozzles with water.

## Other investigations on N2087J (3)

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 DEN82DA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA136), Jul 16, 1982: Cessna T188C (N2087J), Starkweather, ND, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN82DTG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTG05), Jun 8, 1982: Cessna 188 (N2087J), Devils Lake, ND, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN80FTG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTG16), Jun 11, 1980: Cessna T188 (N2087J), Starkweather, ND, substantial damage

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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