# NTSB LAX88DVA03: Cessna 188B, N21762, Gustine, CA, April 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1988, 07:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Gustine, CA
- Coordinates: 37.070243, -120.839324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0702&lon=-120.8393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA03

## 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 (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER, AT 70 FT. A.G.L., THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT LEVELED THE WINGS AND DUMPED THE REMAINING LOAD. THE ENGINE REGAINED FULL POWER, BACKFIRED, THEN LOST POWER AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ALMOND TREES. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE FUEL INJECTION LINES. THE FUEL TANKS WERE RUPTURED AND CONTAINED NO FUEL. THERE WAS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL FOUND BELOW THE RUPTURED TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21762](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21762-2012-08-24), registration cancelled 2012-08-24, S/N 18801015, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- 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: 18801015
- Airframe hours: 3357
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Machado Duster, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hamilton A. Machado
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1987, 83 hours before
- Departed: 3O1, GUSTINE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,560 total, 150 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880402031529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880402031529A), Apr 2, 1988: Cessna A188B, Guistine, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit during a low level aerial application. Crashed into trees in an almond grove. Found no fuel in engine.

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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