Cessna 188 accident near Watkins, Minnesota, August 2, 2018
On August 2, 2018 at about 3:35 pm local time, a 1966 Cessna 188, registered N5523S, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Watkins, Minnesota (Litchfield Muni). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2018 · about 3:35 pm local time
- Place
- Watkins, Minnesota · Litchfield Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 188 Undesignat, built 1966 · all 188s on the register
- Registration
- N5523S · registry record · serial 188-0023
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the agricultural application flight, the commercial pilot noticed a loss of engine speed (rpm) after completing an application pass. He subsequently observed a decrease in engine oil pressure combined with an increase in oil temperature. As he returned for a forced landing to the corn field being sprayed, the oil pressure was about 7 psi. The pilot indicated that the engine was "coughing" at that point, and he decided to shut the engine down; the loss of engine power was not catastrophic. He subsequently landed in the field, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 566 hours in all; 124 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,700 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 14, 2018
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 4,477 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LJF Litchfield MN at 2:45 pm
- Destination: LJF Litchfield MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from LJF, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 26, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records - Airframe | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records - Engine | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.