# NTSB WPR23LA218: Cessna A188B, N731UF, Chillicothe, MO, June 7, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 7, 2023, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Chillicothe, MO · Open field near a house - Coordinates: 39.8, -93.67 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8000&lon=-93.6700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA, Textron Aviation, Lycoming Engines Inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 192332 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192332/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192332 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA218 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to a tear in the fuel manifold diaphragm, which prevented sufficient fuel flow to the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering to apply fertilizer to a corn field. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a clearing, during which the airplane struck trees and powerlines before it came to rest upright in an open field; a postaccident fire ensued. Examination of the of the airplane revealed that the cockpit and fuselage structure was mostly destroyed by thermal and impact damage. Examination of the engine revealed a tear on the fuel manifold assembly diaphragm. The tear in the diaphragm likely result in the fuel manifold’s inability to provide sufficient fuel pressure to maintain engine power, resulting in a partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2023, about 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N731UF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chillicothe, Missouri. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. The pilot reported that the airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power while he was maneuvering to apply fertilizer to a corn field about ½ mile from the departure airport. He ensured the throttle was in the full forward position and turned on the emergency electric auxiliary fuel pump to no avail. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to conduct an off-airport landing and, during the descent, the airplane struck trees and powerlines before it came to rest upright in an open field; a postaccident fire ensued. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the cockpit and fuselage structure was mostly destroyed by thermal and impact damage. The engine, engine mount, firewall, main landing gear, instrument panel, flight controls, and seats were separated and exhibited varying degrees of thermal and impact damage. Examination of the fuel manifold revealed it remained attached to its respective mount and was undamaged. The No. 6 fuel injector line and the nozzle pressure gauge fitting were fracture separated. The fuel manifold assembly was removed and subsequently disassembled. The internal diaphragm exhibited an approximate 1-inch tear and the spring was undamaged. No additional anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe. No reference to any maintenance performed on the fuel manifold was observed within the engine and airframe logbooks. The engine was last overhauled on July 10, 2009. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731UF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N731UF), registered now, S/N 18803160T, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B - 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: 18803160T - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 8247.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2023, 15 hours before - Airport: UKN - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,710 total, 1,626 in this make and model, 4,660 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KCDJ, 4 nm away - METAR: KCDJ 071851Z AUTO 01005KT 32/17 A2984 RMK AO1 SLP090 T03220172= ## 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 20230607018139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230607018139A), Jun 7, 2023: Cessna A188B, Chillicothe, MO, Destroyed. During a low pass over a field, the aircraft lost power and the pilot attempted to make a climbing turn back towards his private airfield without success. The… ## Other investigations on N731UF (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW93LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA260), Sep 19, 1993: Cessna A188B (N731UF), Manila, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE COLLAPSE OF AN AIR INDUCTION HOSE. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192332. 196 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16261347&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of email correspondence (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16261945&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20of%20email%20correcpondence-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 188 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16265343&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination (item 4, PDF, 9 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16265452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA218%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16261765&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array_redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence forms (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16409123&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Forms_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 7, PDF, 15 pages, 271 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16261109&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA218%20Certification%20of%20Party%20Representative_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.