# NTSB FTW99LA186: Cessna A188B, N731AR, Gheens, LA, July 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1999, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC) - Place: Gheens, LA - Coordinates: 29.690414, -90.489692 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6904&lon=-90.4897&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 September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46757/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA186 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as result of a blocked fuel vent. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - swampy - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine lost power following the first power reduction during the initial takeoff climb. The agricultural airplane was loaded with 1,000 pounds of rice seed. The pilot was able to dump the payload as he maneuvered the airplane to clear trees in his path. The airplane touched down in a marshy grass area. Upon touch down, the main landing gear tires sank in the soft mud, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in the inverted position, partially submerged in water. Examination of the wreckage by the operator and the FAA inspector revealed that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation as result of a blocked fuel vent tube. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1999, at 1705 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B agricultural airplane, N731AR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during climb out from an airstrip near Gheens, Louisiana. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Golden Ranch Aviation, Inc., of Gheens, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the operator's private airstrip approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with 1,000 pounds of rice seed to be dispensed to rice fields within the company's 27,000 acre ranch. He further reported that the engine lost power following his first power reduction during the initial takeoff climb. The pilot was able to dump the payload as he maneuvered the airplane to clear trees in his path. The airplane touched down in a marshy grass area. Upon touch down, the main landing gear tires sank in the soft mud, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in the inverted position, partially submerged in water. The pilot reported that the left wing of the airplane separated from the airframe, the vertical stabilizer and rudder "were smashed," and the propeller assembly separated from the engine. The pilot reported that the 300-horsepower Continental IO-520-D173B engine, serial number 812837-R, had accumulated 144.9 hours since its last factory overhaul. Examination of the wreckage by the pilot and the FAA inspector revealed that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation as result of a blocked fuel vent tube. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot recommends installing small mesh wire over the fuel vents to prevent vent blockage from occurring. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731AR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731AR-2001-06-05), registration cancelled 2001-06-05, S/N 18802748T (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 188-02748T - Airframe hours: 6346 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Golden Ranch Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1999, 19 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19990709047149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990709047149A), Jul 9, 1999: Cessna A188B, Gheens, LA, Substantial damage. (.4)The engine lost power following the first power reduction during the initial takeoff climb. The agricultural airplane was loaded with 1,000 pounds of rice… ## Other investigations on N731AR (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW92DRD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRD06), Aug 15, 1992: Cessna A188B (N731AR), Mathew, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OPERATION. 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.