# NTSB MIA98LA092: Cessna 188B, N53382, Houston, MS, March 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 1998, 13:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Houston, MS - Coordinates: 33.889904, -89.000297 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8899&lon=-89.0003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38467 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38467/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA092 ## Probable cause corrosion and subsequent disconnect of the left aileron control rod end fitting, which resulted in a loss of aileron (roll) control, a forced landing, and subsequent impact with the terrain. A factor related to the accident was: improper lubrication of the control rod. ## Analysis The pilot stated he was at an altitude of about 150 to 200 feet when he made an aileron input, which was hard enough to cause fluid in the hopper tank to 'slosh' around. The airplane shuddered as if in a stall. He moved the control stick forward to increase airspeed, and the shutter continued. The airplane started to turn to the left. The pilot applied right aileron and rudder, then he visually checked the ailerons and observed that both were in the up position. He reduced power, and the left wing dropped. The pilot increased power and applied rudder to maintain aircraft control. The airplane continued in a slight left turn. While making a forced landing in an open field, the pilot reduced power, and the left wing dropped and collided with the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left aileron control rod end fitting had become disconnected at the adjustment jam nut. The rod end had lost its flexibility, because of rust (corrosion), due to lack of attention and/or lubrication. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 1998, about 1335 central standard time, a Cessna 188B, N53382, registered to Kimmel Aviation, crashed near Houston, Mississippi, while making an emergency landing following a reported in-flight control system malfunction, while on a 14 CFR part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated about 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was about 150 to 200 feet when he made an aileron input which was hard enough for the water in the hopper tank to "slosh" around. The airplane shuddered as if in a stall. The pilot moved the control stick forward to increase airspeed and the shutter continued. The airplane started to turn to the left. He applied right aileron and rudder, looked outside and observed both ailerons in the up position. He reduced power and the left wing dropped. He increased power and applied rudder to maintain aircraft control. The airplane continued in a slight left turn. While making a forced landing in an open field he reduced power, the left wing dropped and collided with the ground. According to the FAA Inspector's statement, when he examined the wreckage he found the "left aileron control rod end fitting broken...at the adjustment jam nut." He further stated that the rod end "had lost its flexibility, because of rust (corrosion)." The FAA Inspector wrote in his statement, "...when the rod end fitting broke the pilot lost control of the aircraft...[and] this accident occurred due to lack of attention and or lubrication of moving parts." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flight control,aileron attachment - corroded (cause) - maintenance,lubrication - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - flight control,aileron attachment - disconnected (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aileron - restricted - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53382](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53382-2003-04-14), registration cancelled 2003-04-14, S/N 18801800T, built 1974 (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: 18801800T - Airframe hours: 6080 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Kimmel Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1997, 299 hours before - Departed: M44, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 21,494 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 21,494 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUP, 25 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 19980304002729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980304002729A), Mar 4, 1998: Cessna A188B, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Made abrupt left turn became uncontrollable. Both ailerons up. Let control rod broke. Cartwheeled. Poor lubrication (-23) pilot was working aerial application… 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.