# NTSB FTW90DPA02: Cessna A188B, N21620, Perry, TX, April 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1990, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Perry, TX
- Location: 31.4180° N, 96.9153° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Perry, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4180&lon=-96.9153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPA02

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,tank - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

A COMMERICAL PILOT WAS MANEUVERING HIS AIRPLANE DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ON SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. SUITABLE TERRAIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21620](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21620-2025-09-04), registration cancelled 2025-09-04, S/N 18800913, 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: 18800913
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Don Lowe
- Departed: NONE, MART, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ACT, 22 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 19900430013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900430013159A), Apr 30, 1990: Cessna A188B, Perry, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on ag operation. Crash landed in rough ground. Found water in fuel.

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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