N4962Q

On May 17, 1998, at 2015 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, operated by Coauette Aviation, was substantially damaged when it lost engine power during cruise and impacted a field during an emergency landing three miles south of Crookston, Minnesota. The pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight departed from Fertile Municipal Airport, Fertile, Minnesota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that he had started aerial spraying between 0530 and 0600 CDT that morning and continued spraying until the time of the accident. He departed the Fertile Airport with another load of chemical but had not refueled. He reported that as he was heading for a field at 100 to 150 feet above ground level, the engine quit.

He reported, "I immediately looked for a place to land and had to resort to a muddy field. While maneuvering the airplane stalled. While trying to recover the airplane struck the ground." The pilot stated in a phone interview, "I'm sure it ran out of gas." He reported that airplane had been running well all day and had given no indications of anything going wrong. The pilot also stated, "Fatigue was a major factor in all circumstances leading to the accident."