Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA94LA011

ZELLWOOD, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N731MF

CESSNA AT188B

Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT LEVELED OFF AT 200 FEET AGL AND REDUCED THROTTLE TO CRUISE POWER. THE POWER CAME BACK TO IDLE RPM, THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY APPLIED FULL THROTTLE; HOWEVER, THE POWER REMAINED AT IDLE RPM. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE STRAIGHT AHEAD TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. ON TOUCHDOWN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED AFTER COLLIDING WITH FURROWS RUNNING PERPENDICULAR TO THE LANDING AREA. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED FORWARD, STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE BY THE FAA FAILED TO REVEAL THE REASON FOR THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Factual Information

On October 24, 1994, at about 0831 eastern daylight time, a Cessna AT188B, N731MF, registered to AG Care Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, experienced a partial loss of engine power in cruise flight. The commercial pilot conducted a forced landing to unsuitable terrain and crashed. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private grass strip in the vicinity of Zellwood, Florida, about 1 minute before the accident. The pilot-in-command stated to the NTSB investigator-in- charge, that he departed Longscott Airport from runway 36 at about 08:30. Upon reaching 200 feet agl, he reduced the throttle to cruise power and made a crosswind turn. The power came back to idle rpm, the pilot immediately applied full throttle; however the power remained at idle rpm. A forced landing was made straight ahead. On touchdown, the main landing gear separated after colliding with furrows running perpendicular to the landing direction. The airplane continued forward, struck a ditch, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane wreckage by the FAA revealed no determination for the partial loss of engine power could be determined.

Probable Cause and Findings

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports