Cessna A188 accident near Wellington, Texas, September 27, 2002
On September 27, 2002 at about 4:05 pm local time, a Cessna A188, registered N9710V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wellington, Texas. 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 loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 2002 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Wellington, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A188 · all A188s on the register
- Registration
- N9710V · no longer on the register · serial 0168
- 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 aerial application maneuver, the fuel pressure dropped and the engine RPM dropped to 1,800-1,900 rpm's. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, and the pilot initiated an emergency landing. The airplane landed hard and slid to a stop. The pilot exited the airplane during the onset of the post crash fire. Extensive thermal deformation was found throughout the airplane and engine. During the examination and teardown of the engine, there were no discrepancies found that would have precluded operation of the engine prior to the impact. The reason for the reported loss of 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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 3,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,553 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 90 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Hls, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: F21 Wellington TX at 3:30 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.