# NTSB LAX85LA348: Cessna A188B, N4974Q, Willcox, AZ, August 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1985, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Willcox, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.429214, -109.879356 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4292&lon=-109.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA348

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - crop
  - light condition - daylight

## Analysis

ON AUGUST 15, 1985, A CESSNA 180 LOST ENG PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING AN AERIAL APPLICAION MANEUVER. THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE BUT THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE FUEL MORE CLOSELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4974Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4974Q-2012-11-26), registration cancelled 2012-11-26, S/N 18802708T, built 1976 (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: 188027081
- Airframe hours: 1448
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Marvin D Motes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: P33, WILLCOX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 48 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 19850815000799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850815000799A), Aug 15, 1985: Cessna A188B, Willcox, AZ, Substantial damage. Collided with the ground during a spray run after the engine quit running due to fuel exhaustion.

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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