# NTSB LAX94LA119: Cessna T188C, N2086J, Winton, CA, February 10, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 10, 1994, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Winton, CA - Coordinates: 37.410816, -120.589439 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4108&lon=-120.5894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28659/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA119 ## Probable cause a partial loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb due to fuel system contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot reported that the aircraft was lightly loaded; yet, after takeoff, it flew and climbed sluggishly. The pilot said he remained in ground effect in an effort to pick up airspeed, but the aircraft failed to respond. The pilot began to dump his load of chemicals to effect a recovery; however, the aircraft continued to settle, touched down in a field, and collided with a tree. The pilot noted that he did not think the engine was producing full rated power. The aircraft and engine were examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector, who reported finding no apparent internal engine failure. All spark plugs displayed excessive black soot deposits on the electrodes. An unidentified contaminant was found throughout the fuel system. ## Factual narrative On February 10, 1994, at 1415 Pacific standard time, a Cessna T188C, N2086J, lost power on the takeoff initial climb from a farm airstrip near Winton, California. The aircraft subsequently settled to the ground and collided with trees in a field. The aircraft was owned and operated by Bettencourt AG Flying Service of Delhi, California, and was engaged in aerial application operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the multiple obstacle collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap as a local area aerial application flight. In his statement, the pilot reported that the aircraft was lightly loaded; yet, after takeoff, it flew and climbed sluggishly. The pilot said he remained in ground effect in an effort to pick up airspeed, but the aircraft failed to respond. The pilot began to dump his load of chemicals to effect a recovery; however, the aircraft continued to settle, touched down in a field, and collided with a tree. The pilot noted that he did not think the engine was producing full rated power. The aircraft and engine were examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office. In his report, the inspector stated that he observed no apparent internal engine failure. All spark plugs displayed excessive black soot deposits on the electrodes. An unidentified contaminant was found throughout the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2086J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2086J-1994-10-12), registration cancelled 1994-10-12, S/N T18803376T (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803376T - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bettencourt Ag Flying Svc. - Registered owner: Bettencourt Ag Flying Svc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19940210002189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940210002189A), Feb 10, 1994: Cessna T188C, Winton, CA, Destroyed. Unable to climb after takeoff. Appeard sluggish. Dumped load. Hit tree landing. Found fuel system contaminated. ## Other investigations on N2086J (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 LAX93LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA136), Feb 24, 1993: Cessna T188C (N2086J), Delhi, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STANDING WATER ON THE RUNWAY. - [NTSB LAX81DVA52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVA52), May 16, 1981: Cessna 188 (N2086J), Merced, CA, 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. --- 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.