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NTSB Report

August 15, 2017 · Piper PA28 140 · N2804T

Canton, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 2017
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Canton, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA28 140 (1972)
Tail Number
N2804T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA17LA277

According to the flight instructor, during the takeoff roll, he noted that the airplane felt "sluggish." After checking all systems, he and the student pilot continued the takeoff. The flight instructor noted that, after climbing to 200 ft, the airspeed began to decrease while the engine continued to produce power. The flight instructor performed an emergency landing in a wooded area, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An examination of the airplane revealed that the carburetor throttle linkage was striking against the exhaust shield, which prevented the carburetor throttle linkage from its full movement at full throttle. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that a new exhaust system was recently installed on the engine. It is likely that maintenance personnel failed to ensure that the throttle linkage was properly adjusted, which prevented the throttle from opening fully and resulted in the engine being unable to produce full static power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Maintenance personnel's failure to ensure the proper throttle linkage travel clearance after the installation of an exhaust system.

Full Narrative

On August 15, 2017, about 1635 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N2804T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Cherokee County Airport (CNI), Canton, Georgia. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.According to the flight instructor, after an uneventful engine run-up, they taxied to the active runway for takeoff. As the takeoff roll commenced, he noted that the airplane felt "sluggish." He asked the student pilot if he had his foot on the brakes, and the student pilot replied "no." The flight instructor checked the throttle and airspeed and noted that the throttle was full forward and the airspeed was increasing slowly. Once the airplane reached 75 knots, the airplane lifted off the runway and began to climb. The climb appeared normal for approximately the first 200 ft. Then, the flight instructor noticed that the airspeed was decreasing but the engine never stopped. He took over the flight controls and elected to perform an emergency landing in a wooded area. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that both wings separated from the fuselage and the fuselage of the airplane was buckled. A post-crash fire ensued within the engine cowling and spread to the cockpit. An examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor throttle linkage was striking against the exhaust heat shield. This prevented the carburetor throttle linkage from its full movement at full throttle. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that on July 28, 2017, a Power Flow exhaust system was installed on the engine. The airplane accumulated about 6 hours of flight time prior to the accident event.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 EDT
Nearest AirportCherokee County (0nm W)
Runway5
Runway Length5001 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 140
Tail NumberN2804T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 50 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time20:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data