# NTSB ATL87DLQ04: Piper PA-28-140, N15468, Falmouth, KY, August 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1987, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Falmouth, KY
- Coordinates: 38.780216, -84.370498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7802&lon=-84.3705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DLQ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DLQ04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT, WITH A PAX, HAD BEEN MAKING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AT THE LCL APT FOR ABOUT 40 MIN. THE FINAL T.O. WAS PRECEDED BY A FULL STOP LDG. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF, THE PLT REPTD THAT THE ACFT LOST PWR AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR A TREE AT THE TOP OF A RIDGE LINE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGID HOUSING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD FRACTURED ALLOWING THE CABLE TO DISPLACE TO THE SIDE RATHER THAN PUSH THE THROTTLE OPEN. ONE END OF THE RIGID HOUSING WAS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE AND THE OTHER ACTED AS A SLEEVE FOR THE THROTTLE ARM PUSHROD TO THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE CONTROL ARM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15468](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15468-1990-07-26), registration cancelled 1990-07-26, S/N 287325072 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325072
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles R Valz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1986, 18 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 98 total, 42 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG, 28 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870809043889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870809043889A), Aug 9, 1987: Piper PA28140, Falmouth, KY, Substantial damage. Engine throttle cable broke on climbout causing power loss. Struck trees and rocky ground on forced landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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