Casualties unknown

Aircraft Strikes Concrete Ditch After Fuel Exhaustion During Forced Landing (N9893V)

Stanfield, AZ, US

On March 26, 1983, a Cessna 188 (registration N9893V) was involved in an aviation accident near Stanfield, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine lost power from fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A commercial pilot on a solo instructional flight for aerial application experienced an engine power loss due to fuel exhaustion. During a forced landing, the aircraft struck a concrete ditch.

Accident Details

A rated commercial pilot was conducting a solo instructional flight while training for aerial application. Before the flight, the pilot visually checked the fuel load and believed there was sufficient fuel for the planned operations. The pilot took off, sprayed a load of water, then returned to reload and took off again. While pulling up from the fourth swath run, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.

Forced Landing

During the subsequent forced landing, the aircraft struck a concrete ditch. The pilot had previously stated that he thought there was enough fuel for the flight, but the engine lost power from fuel exhaustion mid-flight.

Probable cause

The engine lost power from fuel exhaustion.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X42504. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.