N9557G

On July 10, 2000, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9557G, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with terrain while executing a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Washington, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight departed the pilot's private airstrip near Morrowville, Kansas, at 1000, and was conducting aerial application operations at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's written statement, "Upon completing spraying a feild [field], I heard a different sound in the engine[.] I then noticed power loss and oil smoke coming from the engine compartment." The pilot reported, "I truned [turned] to land on a near by road, but was loosing altitude too fast to complete the trun [turn], so I attempted to land across the road in a feild [field]."

Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the number-two cylinder connecting rod bearing was in several pieces and the connecting rod bolts were broken. The number-two piston was removed from the cylinder and no anomalies were found with the piston or piston-rings. The cylinder wall was inspected and no scoring was noted.