Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The fatigue fracture of the connecting rod, the recommended engine overhaul not performed by the company, and the low altitude flight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 9, 2002, at 1020 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N4919Q, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged on impact with terrain. The pilot performed a forced landing while applying pesticide on a cotton field near Dexter, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was uninjured. The flight originated from Dexter Municipal Airport, Dexter, Missouri, at 0850.
The pilot reported that the engine experienced a total loss of engine power while turning to change course for another pass over the field.
The airplane was powered by a Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-520-D32B, serial number 282977-R, engine. The engine accumulated a total time of 1,983 hours. The manufacturer's recommended time to be overhauled for the engine was 1,700 hours.
The engine was removed from the airframe and shipped to TCM, Mobile, Alabama, for a disassembly examination under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board. The examination revealed that the number two connecting rod was fractured at the journal area. The fracture surface was noted to have beach marks.
The Federal Aviation Administration and TCM were parties to the investigation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI02LA282