# NTSB IAD96LA153: Cessna 188, N3619J, Pataskala, OH, September 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1996, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Pataskala, OH - Coordinates: 40.000118, -82.669769 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0001&lon=-82.6698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28114/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA153 ## Probable cause deterioration and fuel leakage from an engine fuel hose (with a service life that had been exceed, due to inadequate maintenance), which resulted in an engine compartment fire and subsequent damage to the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - fuel system,line - deteriorated (cause) - maintenance,replacement - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,line - leak (cause) - Fire, cruise - engine compartment - fire (cause) - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis While at 500 feet AGL, en route for an aerial application mission, the pilot noticed a slight loss of power and that fuel flow was below normal. He performed emergency procedures, which did not increase the fuel flow. The pilot started a turn, and about 10 seconds later, the engine completely lost power. The pilot discharged his load of seed to extend his glide, and observed that the engine cowling paint start to blister and smoke. The pilot completed a forced landing in an open field, where the airplane continued to burn. Examination of the wreckage revealed a leaking fuel hose in the engine compartment. The hose was stamped with a date denoting the first quarter of 1984 (1Q84). The airplane service manual stated that fluid carrying hoses in the engine compartment should be replaced during engine overhaul or every 5 years, whichever occurred first. The hose was installed 6 years and 7 months before the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1996, at 1545 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188, N3619J, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight fuel fire near Pataskala, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The airplane departed Morrow County Airport in Mount Gilead, Ohio on an aerial application flight. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he departed for an application flight and climbed the airplane to 500 feet above ground level. While en route he observed a slight loss of power, and the fuel flow was about "10 gallons an hour below normal." He further stated: "...Normal emergency procedures, fuel valve okay, mixture rich, emergency fuel pump boost on high with no increase of fuel flow. Started to make turn and 10 seconds later engine failure. Started to discharge wheat seed to extend glide, engine cowling paint blistered and started smoking." The pilot completed an emergency landing and reported only fire damage to the airplane. An examination of the airplane was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Inspector. The Inspector's report stated, "Fuel hose from throttle and control assembly to fuel manifold valve assembly failed a low pressure leak check of 20 PSI air pressure...The band on the hose had P/N 111F417-4S-0430, along with date of 1Q84 (1st quarter 1984), TSO C-53A..." The owner reported that the hose was installed on February 20, 1990. According to the Cessna Service Manual, Model 188 & T188 Series, "All flexible fluid carrying hoses in the engine compartment should be replaced at engine overhaul or every five years, whichever occurs first." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3619J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3619J), registered now, S/N T18803565T, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188 - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803655T - Airframe hours: 5006 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Carl R. Fisher, doing business as Fisher Agriculture Service - Registered owner: Carl R. Fischer Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1996, 358 hours before - Departed: 4I9, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,393 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 15,253 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KCM, 10 nm away ## 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 19960925029989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960925029989A), Sep 25, 1996: Cessna T188C, Pataskala, OH, Substantial damage. Lost fuel pressure en route spray area. Engine quit. Dumped load. Fire in engine. Fuel hose throttle to valve failed (-23) it was reported by the pilot that… ## Other investigations on N3619J (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 ERA25LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA243), Jun 26, 2025: Cessna T188C (N3619J), Mount Gilead, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in a turn during initial climb and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low… 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.