# NTSB FTW98LA266: Cessna A188B, N4911R, Mcgehee, AR, June 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1998, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Mcgehee, AR - Coordinates: 33.620025, -91.389694 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6200&lon=-91.3897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20648/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA266 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The agricultural airplane impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent following a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a left turn, and at an altitude of 100 to 200 feet agl, the engine lost power. According to the pilot, the airplane immediately rolled to the left, and he was unable to return it to level flight. He dumped the load of insecticide, and the airplane impacted the ground nose first. The engine separated from the fuselage, and the airplane came to rest nose down. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any discrepancies that would have precluded engine operation. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1998, at 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B agricultural airplane, N4911R, impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb near McGehee, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane, which was registered to and operated by Vector Disease Control, Inc., of De Witt, Arkansas, was substantially damaged. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight that was originating from the McGehee Municipal Airport at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that after takeoff on runway 18, he initiated a left turn, and at an altitude between 100 to 200 feet agl, "the engine made one loud bang and quit producing power." The pilot further reported that the airplane "immediately rolled to the left," and he was "unable to get the airplane to level flight." He dumped the load of insecticide, and the airplane "impacted the ground nose first a few seconds later." The FAA inspector who responded to the accident site reported that the engine separated from the fuselage, and the airplane came to rest nose down. Both wings sustained leading edge damage, and the right wing was partially separated from the fuselage. The engine was disassembled and examined under the supervision of an FAA inspector on August 3, 1998. According to the FAA inspector, no discrepancies were found that would have precluded engine operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4911R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4911R-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 18802429T, built 1975 (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: 18802429T - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Vector Disease Control, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 7M1 - Airport: 7M1, Mcgeehe Municipal, runway 18, 4,007 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,244 total, 448 in this make and model, 1,136 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19980613013449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980613013449A), Jun 13, 1998: Cessna A188B, Mc Gehee, AR, Substantial damage. Acft experienced engine failure on takeoff and crash landed, mcghee, AR. (.4)the agricultural airplane impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent following… 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.