Cessna A188B accident near La Moure, North Dakota, June 5, 1997
On June 5, 1997, a Cessna A188B, registered N8293G, was substantially damaged in an accident near La Moure, North Dakota (Lamourse Rott Municipal airport). 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to jettison the load. Factors involved were the exceeded weight and balance limits, and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 1997
- Place
- La Moure, North Dakota · Lamourse Rott Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188B · all A188Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8293G · no longer on the register · serial 18801290T
- 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 initial climbout the pilot noticed a developing power loss and was unable to maintain both airspeed and altitude. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cornfield. The airplane then nose over, coming to rest inverted. The owner of the spraying company, said 'I think he [the pilot] was operating behind the power curve, that's what it looks like to me.' The pilot did not jettison the load during the accident sequence. Examination of the aircraft's engine showed there was evidence of a leak in the engine driven fuel pump. Further bench testing showed the leak did not hinder positive fuel pressure to the cylinders. No other engine anomalies were found. The pilot was operating the airplane approximately 30 pounds over the specified max gross weight as determined in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 15, 1996; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ND29
- Destination: ND29
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 4,600 ft by 210 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.