Casualties unknown

Agricultural Flight Ends After Uncontrolled High Sink Rate (N8184V)

LA Feria, TX, US

On May 9, 1991, a Cessna 188 (registration N8184V) operated by Sam Jacobs was involved in an aviation accident near LA Feria, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The airplane developed a high sink rate that the pilot could not arrest. 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

During a fourth spraying pass over a corn field, an airplane flew over a tree line and began descending at a high rate. Despite adding full power, the pilot could not arrest the sink rate, and the airplane impacted the ground in a level attitude.

Incident Details

An agricultural spraying flight ended when the airplane developed a high sink rate that the pilot could not arrest. The pilot was conducting his fourth pass over a corn field. After flying over a tree line, the airplane began to descend at a high rate.

Sequence of Events

The pilot added full power in an attempt to halt the descent, but the airplane continued downward. It subsequently impacted the ground in a level attitude. The environmental conditions at the time included a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and winds from 300 degrees. The airplane's heading was 090 degrees at the time of the incident.

Probable cause

The airplane developed a high sink rate that the pilot could not arrest.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16998. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.