Cessna A188B accident near Dansville, New York, May 26, 2012
On May 26, 2012 at about 2:25 pm local time, a Cessna A188B, registered N9629G, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Dansville, New York. 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
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 2012 · about 2:25 pm local time
- Place
- Dansville, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188B · all A188Bs on the register
- Registration
- N9629G · registry record · serial 18801570
- 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 pilot reported that during an aerial application flight with an adequate supply of fuel onboard, the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for an off-airport landing and, during the descent, the airplane collided with trees then the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed uncontaminated fuel and no discrepancies that would have precluded normal engine operation. The engine was removed from the airframe and sent to the manufacturer’s facility for an attempted engine run. Impact-damaged components were replaced, and the engine was placed in a test cell with a test club propeller installed. The engine was started; however, impact damage to the crankshaft precluded a full operational run of the engine. The engine had accrued 1.6 hours of operation since being rebuilt by the manufacturer. The reason for the 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,431 hours in all; 656 in this make and model; 2,245 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 12, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,839 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-520-D115B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rebecca Lynn Flying Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: HTF Hornell NY at 2:00 pm
- Destination: HTF Hornell NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from DSV, 6 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA12LA365.