# NTSB MIA94LA204: Cessna 188B, N53184, Indian River, FL, September 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1994, 06:41 local (10:41 UTC)
- Place: Indian River, FL
- Coordinates: 27.68029, -80.709175 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6803&lon=-80.7092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA204

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS OVER TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION FLIGHT HAD JUST DEPARTED AND WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED SUDDENLY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD AND STRUCK A TREE ON LANDING ROLL. THE AIRPLANE BURST INTO FLAMES, THE PILOT ESCAPED AND THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE WERE CONSUMED BY FLAMES. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 1994, about 0641 eastern daylight time, N53184, a Cessna C-188B, registered to Indian River Flying Service, crashed in Indian River, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from New Hibiscus Airport about 10 minutes earlier.

The pilot was en route to start applying a load of sulfur when he experienced a complete loss of engine power. He attempted a forced landing to a field and the airplane nosed over. After the pilot exited the airplane a fire consumed the airplane.

FAA inspectors attempted to examine the engine and airplane but the airplane was destroyed and most of the engine accessories were consumed by fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53184](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53184-1995-03-09), registration cancelled 1995-03-09, S/N 18801669T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 01669T
- Airframe hours: 4660
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Indian River Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1994, 59 hours before
- Departed: X52, NEW HIBISCUS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 17,609 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 17,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 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 19940901024899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940901024899A), Sep 1, 1994: Cessna A188B, Indian River, FL, Destroyed. Lost power en route to spray field. Landed in soft field. Nosed over. Aircraft destroyed. Unable find power problem

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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