2010 Cessna T188C Agricultural Aircraft Accident in Ecuador

Flight Overview and Emergency Landing On August 6, 2010, a Cessna T188C was conducting its fourth agricultural spraying flight of the day at the Olepalma hacienda in the Quinindé sector. While returning to the operator's base at the “El Limón” runway, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restore power by engaging an auxiliary fuel pump, but the engine would lose power again whenever the pump was disconnected. This intermittent condition persisted for approximately eight minutes. The pilot reported hearing three sounds similar to explosions before the engine stopped functioning entirely, forcing an emergency landing in a flat grassy area at the “Las Maravillas” hacienda. The aircraft came to a stop after traveling 275 meters on a heading of 290. During the ground roll, the aircraft's spraying system nozzles and propeller blades struck vegetation. The pilot, a 56-year-old Ecuadorian commercial pilot, exited the aircraft unassisted and sustained no injuries. No other persons were on board, and no third-party damage occurred.