Cessna 188A accident near Fairview, Montana, June 20, 2005
On June 20, 2005 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Cessna 188A, registered N2133U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fairview, Montana. 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
While in cruise flight a separation of a propeller blade as a result of a propeller hub crack. Factors contributing to the accident included the installation of an unapproved propeller, and the failure to properly service the propeller with red dyed oil for crack protection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2005 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fairview, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 188A · all 188As on the register
- Registration
- N2133U · no longer on the register · serial 18800653
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While en route at approximately 100 feet above the ground during an aerial application operation, one of the airplane's two propeller blades separated from the propeller hub. Subsequently, the remaining propeller blade and hub separated from the airplane, culminating with the pilot making a forced landing to an open field. Examination of the propeller assembly revealed that the propeller blade model was the correct blade for the propeller; however, the propeller model was not approved for the Cessna 188A with a TCM IO-520 engine. It was also revealed that the propeller should have been filled with red dyed oil for crack detection. A visual inspection of the aircraft revealed no evidence of red dyed oil on the surface of either propeller blade or the propeller hub. A further inspection of the separated propeller blade indicated that the failure occurred within the outboard blade retention threads.
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
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO 520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5U6 Fairview MT at 3:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from SDY, 27 miles away
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.