FTW02LA267

During the aerial application maneuver, the fuel pressure dropped and the engine RPM dropped to 1,800-1,900 rpm's. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, and the pilot initiated an emergency landing. The airplane landed hard and slid to a stop. The pilot exited the airplane during the onset of the post crash fire. Extensive thermal deformation was found throughout the airplane and engine. During the examination and teardown of the engine, there were no discrepancies found that would have precluded operation of the engine prior to the impact. The reason for the reported loss of power could not be determined.

On September 27, 2002, approximately 1105 central daylight time, a Cessna A188 agricultural airplane, N9710V, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during an aerial application flight near Wellington, Texas. The airplane was owned by AAA Flying Service of Memphis, Texas, and operated by HLS, LLC of Hamlin, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Memphis, Texas, approximately 1030.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found the airplane resting upright in a grassland area on a measured heading of 260 degrees. The main landing gears were found separated from the airframe. There was thermal deformation found throughout the airframe, engine, and engine accessories.

The operator and pilot reported to the FAA inspector that during the initial maneuvering entry to spray the grassland, the fuel pressure and the engine pressure dropped to 1,800-1,900 rpm's. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, and the pilot initiated an emergency landing. The airplane landed hard and slid to a stop. The pilot exited the airplane during the onset of the fire.

On August 21, 2003, under the supervision of a NTSB investigator, an examination and teardown of the Continental IO-520-D1 engine, serial number 1582-12-6-D, was performed in Mobile, Alabama. There were no discrepancies found that would have precluded operation of the engine prior to the impact.