# NTSB FTW85LA322: Cessna A188B, N21814, Cushing, OK, August 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1985, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cushing, OK
- Coordinates: 35.9706, -96.760047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9706&lon=-96.7600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA322

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TEST FLYING THE ACFT AFTER A MAJOR ENG OVERHAUL.A LEFT TURN WAS MADE AWAY FROM THE ARPT AFTER TAKEOFF AND IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER THE ENG LOST PWR. WITH NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA WITHIN GLIDING DISTANCE, THE ACFT WAS MANUEVERED STRAIGHT AHEAD WHERE IT CONTACTED TREES. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENG REVEALED THE CHROME PLATING WITHIN THE #5 CYLINDER WAS SEPARATING FROM THE CYLINDER WALL AND WAS IMBEDDED IN THE RING LANDS OF THE PISTON. REASON FOR THE CHROME SEPARATION IS UNKNOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21814](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21814-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 18801055, built 1972 (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: 18801055
- Airframe hours: 2950
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles W Fitzgerald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: CUH, Cushing Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 15,471 total, 250 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 48 nm away

## 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 19850815038749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850815038749A), Aug 15, 1985: Cessna A188B, Cushing, OK, Destroyed. Lost power after liftoff. Struck trees during landing and burned. Chrome separation from cylinder wall.

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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