# NTSB MIA92LA126: Cessna T188C, N4547J, Cross City, FL, May 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1992, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Cross City, FL
- Coordinates: 29.63051, -83.119689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6305&lon=-83.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA126

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION FOR CONTAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM AFTER MODIFICATION RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP DUE TO CONTAMINATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER MODIFICATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM WHICH RESULTED IN THE HOPPER FUEL TANK NOT HAVING A SECOND SOURCE OF FUEL PUMPING.

## 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, climb
  - fuel system,pump - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - no pressure (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

FLIGHT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER SWITCHING TO THE CHEMICAL HOPPER WHICH HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO A FUEL TANK FOR THE FERRY FLIGHT. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A WOODED AREA. POST CRASH OPERATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN ON THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP. AFTER THE PUMP WAS CHANGED THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN BLACK RUBBER PARTICLE CONTAMINATION UNDER THE BYPASS VALVE AND TO BE WORN WHICH PREVENTED PRESSURE BUILD UP. THE HOPPER TANK LINE ENTERED THE AIRFRAME FUEL SYSTEM AFTER THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP AND THE ONLY SOURCE OF HOPPER TANK FUEL PRESSURE WAS THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4547J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18803749T
- Airframe hours: 5224
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Calderon Moyano, Sergio
- Registered owner: V And R Enterprises Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: CTY
- Destination: MAI, MARIANNA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 11,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 11,500 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 50 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 19920524016209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920524016209A), May 24, 1992: Cessna T188C, Cross City, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landing struck trees. Fuel jump had low pressure due contamination. Pump needed for ferry tank.

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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