# NTSB FTW90DRA01: Cessna A188B, N4090J, Muldoon, TX, November 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1989, 17:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Muldoon, TX
- Coordinates: 29.809936, -97.060005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8099&lon=-97.0600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA01

## Probable cause

A TOTAL POWER LOSS DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

EN ROUTE TO AN AERIAL APPLICATION SITE, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER IN A FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4090J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4090J-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 18803720T, built 1980 (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: 18803720T
- Airframe hours: 1023
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: William W. Cherry
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1989, 6 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MULDOON, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,720 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19891127047219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891127047219A), Nov 27, 1989: Cessna A188B, Muldoon, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit en route to spray field. Struck trees on forced landing. 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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