# NTSB MIA89LA007: Cessna T188C, N2896J, Flora, MS, October 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1988, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Flora, MS
- Coordinates: 32.540515, -90.309089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5405&lon=-90.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - exhaust system,stack - failure,partial (cause)
  - engine compartment - burned (cause)
  - fuel system,line - burned (cause)
- Fire, descent - emergency
  - engine compartment - fire
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - failure,total

## Analysis

AFTER DISPENSING A CHEMICAL LOAD, THE PLT WAS RTRNG TO RE-LOAD WHEN THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE SAID HE NOTED THE FUEL FLOW WAS ERRATIC, SO HE TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP. THE ENG STABILIZED MOMENTARILY, THEN SMOKE ENTERED THE COCKPIT & THE ENG BEGAN SURGING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DRG AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE SHOULDERHARNESS FAILED AS THE ACFT WENT OVER ON ITS NOSE DRG THE LANDING, BUT THE LAP BELT HELD. AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST, THE PLT EVACUATED THE PLANE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. AN EXAM REVEALED A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST PIPE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENG. THE HOLE WAS NEAR THE EGT PROBE; IT ALLOWED GASES TO BE DIRECTED TOWARD FUEL LINES & ELEC WIRES. THE MODE OF SHOULDER HARNESS FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED SINCE IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2896J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2896J-1990-08-15), registration cancelled 1990-08-15, S/N T18803571T (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: T18803571T
- Airframe hours: 2854
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bentonia Aerial Applicators
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 3, 1988, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,946 total, 2,900 in this make and model, 3,946 as pilot in command, 320 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 18 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 19881008045809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881008045809A), Oct 8, 1988: Cessna T188C, Flora, MS, Destroyed. Smelled smoke and rough engine. Broke off tail landing in rough field. Plane burned. Hole in exhaust hot air escaped

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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