Accident Details
On August 2, 2018, at approximately 1035 central daylight time, a Cessna 188 airplane, registration N5523S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a partial loss of engine power. The accident occurred near Watkins, Minnesota, while the aircraft was conducting an agricultural application flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Litchfield Municipal Airport (LJF) in Litchfield, Minnesota, at about 0945. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the airplane was fully fueled before departure. After takeoff, he flew approximately 20 minutes to the intended field and completed several spray passes. While maneuvering after an application pass, he noticed a loss of engine speed (rpm). He advanced the propeller control forward, which temporarily restored engine speed, but the rpm soon decreased again. Concurrently, the pilot observed a drop in oil pressure and a rise in oil temperature. He moved all engine controls—throttle, propeller, and mixture—full forward. As he prepared for a forced landing in the corn field being sprayed, the oil pressure was approximately 7 psi. The engine began "coughing" as the airplane descended. Upon impact with the corn, the aircraft pitched up on its nose before coming to rest. The pilot described the weather as "very good," with light wind, clear sky, and visibility exceeding 10 miles.
Investigation Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector inspected the accident site and aircraft. The pilot informed the inspector that the loss of engine power was not catastrophic; rather, he observed declining oil pressure and rising oil temperature, prompting him to shut off the engine by pulling the mixture control. He then landed in the corn field immediately below. The inspector noted substantial damage to the right wing of the aircraft. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and operated by Classic Arrow Inc.