# NTSB SEA92LA157: Cessna A188B, N78734, Twin Falls, ID, July 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1992, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Twin Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 43.50024, -111.889259 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5002&lon=-111.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA AG TRUCK STATED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH 50 GALLONS OF FUEL AND FLEW FOR ONE AND A HALF HOURS, CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS.  HE STATED THAT HE HAD A POWER LOSS DURING A PULL UP AND MADE A FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT.  A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY FOUR GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE AIRCRAFT WHEN IT WAS RECOVERED, AND THE ENGINE WAS RUN WITH NO APPARENT MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78734](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78734-1997-12-03), registration cancelled 1997-12-03, S/N 18801956T (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: 1880156T
- Airframe hours: 4704
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: David S. Simpson, doing business as Simpson Aviation
- Registered owner: David S. Simpson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1992, 243 hours before
- Departed: U03, BUHL, ID
- Destination: U03

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 4,750 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 3 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 19920720026029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920720026029A), Jul 20, 1992: Cessna A188B, Twin Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Engine quit on pullup from a spray run. Struck ditch on forced landing. Drained four gallons of fuel post accident.

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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