# NTSB LAX96LA276: Cessna A188B, N731YT, Merced, CA, July 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 1996, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Merced, CA - Coordinates: 37.35073, -120.41938 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3507&lon=-120.4194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29511/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA276 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to ensure that adequate fuel was onboard to complete the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was returning to his base from spraying sulfur on crop fields near Merced when the engine suddenly quit. The pilot set up for a landing on a highway, but discontinued the approach when he observed there were many vehicles on the road. The pilot landed in a railroad right of way and collided with fence and sign posts during the ground roll. FAA inspectors examined the aircraft. No fuel was found in the aircraft tanks, which were determined to be intact. Only minor traces of fuel were found in the lines and distributor manifold. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 1996, about 0600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N731YT, collided with ground obstructions while making a forced landing in a railroad right of way near Merced, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power as the aircraft was returning from an aerial application flight. The aircraft was owned and operated by James Aero Ag of Chowchilla, California, and was operated under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from the operator's private agricultural airstrip near Chowchilla on the morning of the accident about 0520. The pilot reported to FAA inspectors that he was returning to his base from spraying sulfur on crop fields near Merced when the engine suddenly quit. The pilot set up for a landing on a highway, but discontinued the approach when he observed there were many vehicles on the road. The pilot landed in a railroad right of way and collided with fence and sign posts during the ground roll. FAA inspectors examined the aircraft. No fuel was found in the aircraft tanks, which were determined to be intact. Only minor traces of fuel were found in the lines and distributor manifold. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731YT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731YT-2016-11-09), registration cancelled 2016-11-09, S/N 18803268T, built 1978 (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: 18803268T - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Richard W. James - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1995 - Departed: CHOWCHILLA, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,847 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 84 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19960718018289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960718018289A), Jul 18, 1996: Cessna A188B, Merced, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power returning to base. Hit fence and posts landing on railroad right of way. Fuel tanks were empty. 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.