# NTSB LAX86LA032: Cessna T188C, N9958J, Hilo, HI, November 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1985, 05:39 local (15:39 UTC)
- Place: Hilo, HI
- Coordinates: 19.689044, -155.080642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6890&lon=-155.0806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - fluid,fuel - inadequate (cause)
  - fuel system - leak (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT BECAME AWARE OF THE ACFT'S UNANTICIPATED LOW FUEL STATE WHEN THE ENG FAILED WHILE OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN, APRX 900 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION. HE RESTARTED THE ENG BUT ESTIMATED THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH FUEL REMAINING TO REACH HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION. HE SOLICITED ASSISTANCE FROM NAVY AND COAST GUARD ACFT TO HELP HIM LOCATE A SHIP NEAR WHICH HE MIGHT DITCH. A SHIP WAS LOCATED AND THE PLT DITCHED HIS ACFT APRX 700 MILES SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION. THE PLT SUSPECTED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE HOPPER AS IT LOST APRX 150 GALLONS OF FUEL IN 1 HOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9958J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9958J-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N T18803887T, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- 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: T18803887T
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Trans-Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Johnson Aircraft Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Destination: ITO, HILO, HI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,750 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19851104076379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851104076379A), Nov 4, 1985: Cessna T188C, Hilo, HI, Destroyed. Hopper tank converted to fuel tank leaked. Realized he could not reach Hawaii. Ditched, picked up by a ship.

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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