# NTSB IAD79FLJ14: Cessna A188, N3532Q, Merritt, NC, August 19, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 19, 1979
- Place: Merritt, NC · MERRITT, NC
- Location: 35.0979° N, 76.7144° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Merritt, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0979&lon=-76.7144&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FLJ14
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FLJ14

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3415  79/8/19    MERRITT,NC          CESSNA A188         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 1100
        TIME - 1600                    N3532Q              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 600 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ALLIANCE,NC                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: MAGNETOS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1100                       KIND OF OPERATION - TEST
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY
          GLOVES - NOT USED                                        GOGGLES - NOT USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - INSTALLED                                    TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        REMARKS- IDLER GEAR SUPPORT PIN SEPARATED DURING FLIGHT,THE RETAINING NUTS NOT FOUND. LOCKPLATE IMP INSTLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3532Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3532Q-1980-07-14), registration cancelled 1980-07-14, S/N 188-0482, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188) (registry code 2073004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790819024609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790819024609A), Aug 19, 1979: Cessna A188, Merrit, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on spray test flght. Found magneto idler gear came off. Improperly secured.

## Other investigations on N3532Q (2)

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 MIA71FKG12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FKG12), Jul 25, 1970: Cessna 188A (N3532Q), Thomson, GA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA70D0200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0200), Aug 11, 1969: Cessna A188 (N3532Q), Louisville, GA, substantial damage

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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