# NTSB FTW97LA065: Cessna A188, N9860V, La Porte, TX, December 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 17, 1996, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: La Porte, TX - Coordinates: 29.660482, -95.039604 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6605&lon=-95.0396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20130/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA065 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - fence - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had completed a banner towing flight about 1,000 feet AGL and was entering the traffic pattern to land on runway 12. At about 800 feet MSL, 'the engine started to run rough, coughed and lost power.' The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward a pasture, while going through the engine restart checklist and dropping the banner. The engine surged a couple of times, but did not regain power. The pilot made a forced landing in an open field, about 3 miles from the airport. He stated that the airplane touched down in a three point attitude. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted several small trees and went through a fence line. The engine had accumulated a total of 2,659 hours, and 1,175 hours since the last overhaul. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 17, 1996, at 1315 central standard time, a Cessna A188, N9860V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near La Porte, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by a private owner, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight, for which a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed from the La Porte Municipal Airport at 1130 on a local banner towing flight. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he had completed a banner towing flight around the city of Houston at approximately 1,000 feet AGL, and was in the process of entering the traffic pattern for runway 12 at the La Porte Airport. While at 800 feet MSL, the "the engine started to run rough, coughed and lost power." The pilot maneuvered the airplane towards a pasture while going through the engine restart checklist and dropping the banner. The engine surged a couple of times but did not regain power. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing to an open field, approximately 3 miles from the airport. The pilot stated that the airplane touched down in the three point attitude, and during the landing roll, the airplane impacted several small trees and went through a fence line. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the rear spar on the right wing was bent, the left flap was torn, the left horizontal stabilator sustained structural damage, and both wing tips were damaged. The engine, serial number 566712, had accumulated a total of 2,659.4 hours, and 1,175 hours since the last overhaul. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9860V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9860V-2000-03-30), registration cancelled 2000-03-30, S/N 188-0110 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A188 - Registry model: [Cessna A188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188) (registry code 2073004) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 188-0110 - Airframe hours: 4026 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: William D. Spence - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1996, 77 hours before - Departed: T41 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,196 total, 10 in this make and model, 3,180 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19961217039539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961217039539A), Dec 17, 1996: Cessna A188, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. Banner tow flight. Landing lost power. Dropped banner. No restart. Landed off airport. Hit trees. Cause unknown. (-23) pilot stated: during the return flight… 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.