# NTSB FTW92LA122: Cessna A188B, N70321, Washita, OK, April 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1992, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Washita, OK
- Location: 35.1044° N, 98.3413° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Washita, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1044&lon=-98.3413&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA122

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DURING THE FORCED LANDING DUE TO CORROSION AND FATIGUE.  A FACTOR WAS THE POWER LOSS DUE TO A FRACTURED CRANKSHAFT.

## 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, cruise
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fractured (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - separation (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - corroded (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS WHILE EN ROUTE DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.  HE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD.  DURING THE ROLL OUT, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A RISE IN THE TERRAIN AND BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE STRUTS.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A BROKEN CRANKSHAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR REVEALED CORROSION ON THE INSIDE WALLS OF THE STRUTS AND EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING CRACKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70321](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70321-2005-08-17), registration cancelled 2005-08-17, S/N 18801885T, built 1974 (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: 188-01885T
- Airframe hours: 5633
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Fickling, Joe F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1991, 140 hours before
- Departed: NONE, EAKLY, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 16,639 total, 350 in this make and model, 16,300 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 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 19920406011949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920406011949A), Apr 6, 1992: Cessna A188B, Washita, OK, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route to spray field. Landing gear failed landing. Crankshaft had broken. Landing gear corroded.

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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