N4916Q

On June 13, 1995, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188 N4916Q, collided with a tree during an emergency landing attempt to a field near Red Springs, North Carolina. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Raeford, North Carolina, at 1900 hours.

The pilot reported a burning odor in the aircraft during a spraying run. He then experienced a complete loss of engine power. The pilot selected a nearby field, and attempted an emergency landing. While maneuvering for the emergency landing, the airplane collided with a tree.

A post crash examination of the engine was done by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A removal of the engine cowling revealed that the exhaust manifold was corroded, and had developed a hole in the rear side of it. There were indications of fire on the aircraft air filter cover that had been the result of exhaust hot air blowing directly on it. There were indications in the fuel injection system that fuel had been present at the time of impact. The propeller showed signs that no power was being developed at the time of impact. There were no other indications of engine failure.

A balanced propeller was put on the engine and a run was performed at various RPMs. The engine quit after a short period of time. A removal of the air filter cover revealed the air filter to be severely burned. A removal of intake manifolds revealed residue to be present that matched the type of material that the air filter was made of. The air filter was removed. Another engine run was performed with various RPMs and the engine ran well at all RPMs.