N9314J

On August 16, 2004, approximately 1615 central daylight time, a Cessna T188C, single-engine tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N9314J, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while landing at a private airstrip near Heth, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Hutcherson Flying Service, Inc., of Forrest City, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the private airstrip at 1424.

The 5,002-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that as he advanced the throttle to increase engine power while on final approach for landing, "none was available." The airplane settled within tall grass just short of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane rolled into a 10-15 foot deep gulley and came to rest upright.

Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed the engine firewall was bent, and both wings were structurally damaged.

According to the aircraft's maintenance logbooks, the airplane had accumulated approximately 116 hours since the last 100-hour inspection on July 2, 2004. At that time, the airframe total time was 4,149 hours.

On January 19, 2005, at the facilities of Dawson Aircraft Inc., near Clinton, Arkansas, under supervision of an FAA inspector, the Continental TSIO-520-T engine was successfully started and run for approximately ten minutes. No anomalies were noted during the engine run.

The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.