# NTSB LAX98LA280: Cessna 188B, N202AW, Dixon, CA, September 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 1998, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Dixon, CA - Coordinates: 38.389244, -121.809791 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3892&lon=-121.8098&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 June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43853/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA280 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, and the ignition of a highly combustible compound in the application hopper. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Fire, landing - roll - aerial application materials - other (cause) ## Analysis The agricultural airplane had flown the day before the accident flight with no discrepancies noted. This was the first flight of the day and the airplane was carrying a full load of sulfur for an application flight. After takeoff, the pilot made a turn to the left and experienced a partial loss of engine power. The pilot made a bank to the right to land in an open field. The airplane landed hard and bounced into the air. After the first bounce, the airplane was simultaneously on fire and rotating 180 degrees. The airplane struck the ground again and the pilot exited the airplane. The chemical manufacturer stated that the powdered sulfur dust compound used in aerial application operations was considered a moderate fire hazard. The airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 1998, at 0630 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N202AW, experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff and made an emergency landing in an alfalfa field near Dixon, California. The aircraft, operated under 14 CFR Part 137 as an agricultural crop dusting operation by the William D. Joslin Corporation, was destroyed in a postimpact fire. The commercial instrument rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that this was the first flight of the day and he was going to spray sulfur dust on a tomato field. After departure, he reduced power at approximately 100 feet agl. He experienced a partial loss of power, and made a forced landing in an adjacent alfalfa field. The pilot stated that after landing the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed in the ensuing fire. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the scene and interviewed the owner. Aircraft and engine testing were not conducted due to the postimpact fire. The owner reported that the aircraft had flown the day before the accident flight with no discrepancies noted. This was the first flight of the day and the aircraft was carrying a full load of sulfur. After takeoff the pilot made a turn to the left and the engine quit. The owner stated that the pilot attempted to return to the runway, and when he saw he was not going to make it made a slight banking turn to the right and aimed for an open field. The owner reported that the aircraft was in a nose high attitude with a high sink rate due to the full load of chemicals. The aircraft landed hard and bounced into the air. After the first bounce, the aircraft was simultaneously on fire and was rotating 180 degrees. The aircraft struck the ground again and the pilot exited the aircraft. The chemical manufacturer was contacted and the representative stated that the powdered sulfur dust compound used in aerial application operations is considered a moderate fire hazard according to the National Fire Protection Association criteria. While the compound has a flash point of 374 degrees Fahrenheit, published studies (page 48, INVESTIGATION OF FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS IN CHEMICAL, MINING AND FUEL RELATED INSDUSTRIES Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of Interior) demonstrate that atomized layers of clouds of dust may ignite at ignition temperatures of 190 degrees in air to substance density limits of less than 0.1 ounces per cubic foot. The test was conducted in a Hartman apparatus with a high voltage 24-watt spark source for ignition. The manufacturer's representative noted that sulfur is processed in an inert atmosphere during manufacture into the powdered form to prevent potential explosions or fires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N202AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202AW-2011-07-20), registration cancelled 2011-07-20, S/N 18800835, built 1971 (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: 18800835 - Airframe hours: 5853 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: William D. Joslin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 24, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,100 total, 240 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SAC, 15 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 19980902029689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980902029689A), Sep 2, 1998: Cessna 188B, Dixon, CA, Destroyed. (.4) The accident aircraft had flown the day before the accident flight with no discrepancies noted. This was the first flight of the day and the aircraft was… 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.