Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A188B near Chillicothe, MO — 2023-06-07

Final reportWPR23LA218
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Date
2023-06-07
Location
Chillicothe, MO, USA
Airport
UKN
Aircraft
CESSNA A188B
Registration
N731UF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

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.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the maneuver when engine power loss was first noted.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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