# NTSB FTW83LA198: Cessna A188B, N4876R, El Campo, TX, April 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1983, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: El Campo, TX
- Coordinates: 29.189922, -96.269805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1899&lon=-96.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire/explosion, landing - roll
  - engine assembly - fire
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AS THE ACFT WAS TURNING FINAL FLAPS WERE EXTENDED TO 20 DEGREES AND THE ANGLE OF BANK WAS INCREASED RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RATE OF DESCENT. HE ADDED POWER TO CORRECT HIS DESCENT RATE BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. PUMPING THE THROTTLE AND ENGAGING THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP DID NOT RESTORE POWER. THE ACFT IMPACTED A LAND FILL SHORT OF THE RWY AND SLID ONTO THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4876R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4876R-1988-06-10), registration cancelled 1988-06-10, S/N 18802395T (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: 18802395T
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Coastal Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: TX09, Coastal, runway 35, 3,100 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,585 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots, gusting 3
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830418013819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830418013819A), Apr 18, 1983: Cessna A188B, El Campo, TX, Substantial damage. Low on final. Engine failed to respond on throttle application. Impacted in a fill short of the runway.

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.
