# NTSB MIA95LA185: Cessna A188B, N731NP, Aberdeen, MS, July 17, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1995, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC) - Place: Aberdeen, MS - Coordinates: 33.820114, -88.55043 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8201&lon=-88.5504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37802/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA185 ## Probable cause THE OPERATOR'S AND PILOT'S PROCEDURE OF LEAVING THE AIRCRAFT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE LOADING AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS INTO THE AIRCRAFT. THIS RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT MOVING UNATTENDED AND COLLIDING WITH A DITCH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE WORN CABLE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) operating - throttle/power lever,cable - worn (contributing factor) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - performed, pilot in command (cause) - procedure inadequate, company/operator management (cause) - throttle/power lever,cable - disconnected (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, other - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis THE PILOT STARTED THE ENGINE AND TAXIED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE CHEMICAL LOADING AREA TO PREPARE FOR FLIGHT. HE LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING AND EXITED THE AIRCRAFT TO FILL THE AIRCRAFT'S CHEMICAL TANK. WHILE PREPARING TO FILL THE CHEMICAL TANK HE HEARD THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE INCREASE IN RPM. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO MOVE WITHOUT ANYONE AT THE CONTROLS. BEFORE HE COULD CATCH THE AIRCRAFT IT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND CAME TO REST. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION SHOWED THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD BROKEN. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR THE THROTTLE ARM ON THE CARBURETOR IS SPRING LOADED TO THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1995, about 0720 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N731NP, registered to Kimmel Aviation, Inc., collided with a ditch while moving with no one on board at Aberdeen, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot, who was not onboard at the time, was not injured. The flight was preparing for departure at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he started the engine and taxied to the chemical loading area. While the engine was left idling he placed the loading hose in the aircraft's hopper. He got off of the aircraft to start the chemical pump. The engine suddenly began to increase in rpm and the aircraft started to move. He attempted to catch the airplane but could not. The aircraft collided with a ditch and came to rest. Postcrash examination revealed the throttle cable had broken. According to the operator the throttle arm on the carburetor is spring loaded to the full throttle position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731NP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731NP-1999-12-03), registration cancelled 1999-12-03, S/N 18803027T (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18803027T - Airframe hours: 4777 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Kimmel Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1995, 83 hours before - Departed: M40 - Airport: M40, Monroe County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,008 total, 3,652 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CBM, 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 19950717022479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950717022479A), Jul 17, 1995: Cessna A188B, Aberdeen/Amory, MS, Substantial damage. Left engine idling during loading hopper. Power went up. Aircraft got away struck a ditch. Throttle spring loaded. 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.