Cessna A188B accident near Lyons, Kansas, May 7, 2013
On May 7, 2013 at about 2:31 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna A188B, registered N731JF, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Lyons, Kansas (Lyons-Rice Co Municipal Arpt airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect the fuel contamination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 2013 · about 2:31 pm local time
- Place
- Lyons, Kansas · Lyons-Rice Co Municipal Arpt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188B, built 1977 · all A188Bs on the register
- Registration
- N731JF · registry record · serial 18802926
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The agricultural application airplane was maneuvering at low altitude when it experienced a loss of engine power, descended, and impacted terrain. The impact resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that he had not done a complete preflight examination of the airplane and that not checked the fuel tanks nor had he drained the fuel sumps. There had been rain in the area the night before. A postaccident examination of the airplane disclosed the presence of water contamination in the gascolator, but there were no other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Part(s) separation from AC during post (impact)
- Fuel contamination during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- factor Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Inadequate inspection
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 724 hours in all; 183 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 617 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,095 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 2, 2013; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 228 hours total
- Operator: Rice County Aerial Sprayers INC
The flight
- Departed from: LYO Lyons KS at 2:28 pm
- Destination: LYO Lyons KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 2:52 pm from KHUT, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.