Sunday, April 04, 2021

Cessna A188B, N9278G: Accident occurred July 27, 2020 near Hartington Municipal Airport (0B4), Cedar County, Nebraska













Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Skyview Applicators LLC


Location: Hartington, Nebraska
Accident Number: CEN20CA331
Date & Time: July 27, 2020, 07:45 Local
Registration: N9278G
Aircraft: Cessna A188 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot reported that, before conducting a local, aerial application flight, he changed the engine oil. After refueling and loading the airplane with chemicals, the pilot departed. Shortly after takeoff, the windshield became covered with oil, which limited the pilot's visibility. He turned the airplane left toward a grass runway. The pilot did not dump the chemical load, and the airplane had a low airspeed and began to lose altitude. The pilot was not able to attain a climb, so he chose to conduct a forced landing in a cornfield near the end of the runway, during which the wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the reason the oil covered the windshield was that he had not reinstalled the oil cap after changing the oil. He added that he “had gotten out of …[his] routine” while performing the oil change and that ”complacency” and being in a “hurry were also some factors" in the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to ensure that the engine oil cap was installed before takeoff, which resulted in the oil obscuring the pilot’s view through the windshield and necessitated a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s complacency and self-induced pressure to complete the flight.

Findings

Aircraft Oil - Inadequate inspection
Aircraft Oil - Fluid level
Personnel issues Preflight inspection - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Prior to flight Aircraft inspection event
Takeoff Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Emergency descent Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Collision during takeoff/land

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor; Private
Age: 44, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 15, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 11, 2020
Flight Time: 2211.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 143.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 2050 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 170 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 127 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9278G
Model/Series: A188 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)
Serial Number: 18801444
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 1, 2020 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4954.4 Hrs 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Not installed 
Engine Model/Series: IO-520-D112
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 300 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: PTNG

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KYKN,1172 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 07:56 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 344°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 330° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hartington, NE (0B4)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Hartington, NE (0B4) 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 07:45 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: HARTINGTON MUNI/ BUD BECKER FL 0B4
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 1388 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 42.603054,-97.253608(est)

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