# NTSB FTW89DQG06: Cessna T188C, N9957J, Levelland, TX, September 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1989, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Levelland, TX
- Coordinates: 33.56916, -102.359916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5692&lon=-102.3599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG06

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO A LEAK IN THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid - leak (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE LEFT WHEEL BRAKE, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A PERSISTENT LEAK FROM THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. DURING THE GROUND LOOP, THE LEFT WING AND LEFT LANDING GEAR WERE DAMAGED. THE LEFT BRAKE LINE WAS ALSO BROKEN DURING THE GROUND LOOP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH BRAKE FLUID WAS IN THE SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9957J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9957J-2006-09-05), registration cancelled 2006-09-05, S/N T18803886T, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- 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: T188C03886T
- Airframe hours: 2898
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ed Reynolds, doing business as R & W Spraying Service
- Registered owner: R & W Spraying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1989, 349 hours before
- Departed: Q24
- Airport: Q24, Levelland, runway 17, 3,450 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,485 total, 5,210 in this make and model, 13,485 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19890905033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890905033719A), Sep 5, 1989: Cessna T188C, Levelland, TX, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing roll. May have had a weak brake due to a persistent leaking master cylinder.

## Other investigations on N9957J (4)

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 CHI00LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA198), Jul 15, 2000: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Rock Dell, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the terrain.
- [NTSB CHI98LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA240), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Austin, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel. Factors were the throttle control not safetied, the crops, and unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot
- [NTSB LAX97LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA293), Aug 15, 1997: Cessna 188 (N9957J), Eloy, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control due to inadequate rudder use.
- [NTSB LAX83LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA142), Mar 16, 1983: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Clarksburg, CA, 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.

---
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.