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NTSB Report

July 27, 2020 · Cessna A188 B · N9278G

Hartington, NE

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hartington, NE
Aircraft
Cessna A188 B (1973)
Tail Number
N9278G
Operator
Becker Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20CA331

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 CDT
Nearest AirportHartington Muni/ Bud Becker Fl (0nm WSW)
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188 B
Tail NumberN9278G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBecker Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D112 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time12:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data