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NTSB Report
February 11, 1989 · Piper PA-28-161 · N38529
Yarmouth, MA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 11, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured, 2 unknown outcomes)
Location
Yarmouth, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N38529
Operator
James Orme & R Feuersange
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89LA083
THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28, WAS ON A 2 MILE RIGHT BASE LEG TO RUNWAY 24 AT HYANNIS AIRPORT, MA, AND HAD JUST REDUCED POWER WHEN THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE PILOT FELT THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT, SO HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY THE LANDING GEAR HIT A CAR, KILLING A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE CAR. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE SHAFT HAD SEIZED WITH THE THROTTLE PLATE IN THE CLOSED POSITION. EXAM OF SHAFT SCRATCHING AND GALLING AT THE BUSHING. TESTING OF THE BUSHING AND SHAFT REVEALED BOTH WERE MANUFACTURED OF THE SAME MATERIAL AND WERE BELOW THE HARDNESS SPECIFICATION OF THE CARBURETOR MANUFACTURER. THE CARBURETOR HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED APPROXIMATELY 10 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED FROM BINDING OF THE CARBUERATOR THROTTLE SHAFT. THE BINDING RESULTED FROM AN IMPROPER OVERHAUL OF THE CARBUERTOR APPROXIMATELY 10 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28, WAS ON A 2 MILE RIGHT BASE LEG TO RUNWAY 24 AT HYANNIS AIRPORT, MA, AND HAD JUST REDUCED POWER WHEN THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE PILOT FELT THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT, SO HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY THE LANDING GEAR HIT A CAR, KILLING A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE CAR. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE SHAFT HAD SEIZED WITH THE THROTTLE PLATE IN THE CLOSED POSITION. EXAM OF SHAFT SCRATCHING AND GALLING AT THE BUSHING. TESTING OF THE BUSHING AND SHAFT REVEALED BOTH WERE MANUFACTURED OF THE SAME MATERIAL AND WERE BELOW THE HARDNESS SPECIFICATION OF THE CARBURETOR MANUFACTURER. THE CARBURETOR HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED APPROXIMATELY 10 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN38529
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames Orme & R Feuersange
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured, 2 unknown outcomes)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total5
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility11 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO