Cessna A188B accident near Mcrae, Georgia, August 20, 2009
On August 20, 2009 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Cessna A188B, registered N4842R, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Mcrae, Georgia. 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 total loss of engine power due to pre-ignition/detonation as a result of a fuel control malfunction.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2009 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mcrae, Georgia · 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
- N4842R · no longer on the register · serial 18802361T
- 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 an aerial application flight, the pilot noticed the engine oil temperature rise and the oil pressure decrease. The oil pressure went to zero and the engine lost all power. The pilot initiated a forced landing into a soybean field. Examination of the engine found an abnormal fuel flow through the return fitting at full rich mixture setting and a leak at the mixture shaft. Additionally, the Nos. 1 and 4 piston heads exhibited thermal erosion consistent with a pre-ignition/detonation event. This type of piston damage would elevate crankcase pressure and allow oil loss through the crankcase breather system, decreasing oil pressure and increasing oil temperature.
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 (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Damaged/degraded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,994 hours in all; 1,790 in this make and model; 112 in the last 90 days; 48 in the last 30 days; 36 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 3, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 3, 2008; 105 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Gilder Flying Service Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: MQW Mcrae GA at 7:45 pm
- Destination: MQW Mcrae GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,900 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 7:57 pm from VDI, 27 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.
Other NTSB records under N4842R the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.