Accident Details
On June 7, 2023, at approximately 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, registration N731UF, was destroyed when it experienced a partial loss of engine power during an agricultural flight operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The aircraft was maneuvering to apply fertilizer to a corn field about half a mile from the departure airport near Chillicothe, Missouri. The pilot reported moving the throttle to the full forward position and activating the emergency electric auxiliary fuel pump, but these actions did not restore power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot executed an off-airport landing. During the descent, the airplane struck trees and powerlines before coming to rest upright in an open field. A postaccident fire ensued. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed extensive thermal and impact damage. The cockpit and fuselage structure were mostly destroyed. The engine, engine mount, firewall, main landing gear, instrument panel, flight controls, and seats had separated and displayed varying degrees of thermal and impact damage. The fuel manifold remained attached to its mount and was undamaged externally. However, the No. 6 fuel injector line and the nozzle pressure gauge fitting were fracture separated. Upon disassembly, the fuel manifold’s internal diaphragm exhibited an approximate 1-inch tear; the spring was undamaged. No other anomalies were found in the engine or airframe. Review of the engine and airframe logbooks revealed no reference to maintenance performed on the fuel manifold. The engine had last been overhauled on July 10, 2009.