# NTSB ATL96LA002: Socata TB-9, N152ND, Decatur, AL, October 2, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1995, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, AL
- Coordinates: 34.570888, -86.980079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5709&lon=-86.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA002

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff attempt.  A factor was the stripped throttle knob threads.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - aborted
  - throttle/power lever - stripped thread (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that he lost directional control of the airplane during an aborted touch and go attempt. The directional control problem was compounded when the throttle knob came off of the throttle control as the student attempted to reduce engine power.

## Factual narrative

On October 2, 1995, at 1730 central daylight time, a Socata    TB-9, N152ND, nose gear collapsed after the student pilot lost control of the airplane during the go phase of a touch and go landing at Pryor Field in Decatur, Alabama. The supervised solo flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight departed Huntsville, Alabama, at 1700 hours.

According to the student pilot, this was his second supervised solo flight. He had completed one touchdown, and was on the go phase of the first of a series of touch and go landings. As the airplane accelerated for the takeoff, the airplane veered off the left side of runway 18. When the student pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane, the throttle knob came off the throttle control lever.

The  student pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. Examination of the airplane also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. This aircraft is equipped with an arm type throttle control lever; the throttle lever was still fully operational without the knob assembly.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N152ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N152ND-1998-12-03), registration cancelled 1998-12-03, S/N 1201 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SOCATA TB-9
- Registry model: [Socata TB 9 TAMPICO](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-9-tampico) (registry code 8680694) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1201
- Airframe hours: 2276
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: University Of North Dakota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1995, 33 hours before
- Departed: HSV, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Airport: DCU, Pryor Field, runway 18, 5,096 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 22 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 19951002030919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951002030919A), Oct 2, 1995: Socata TB9, Decatur, AL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on adding power on touch and go. Throttle knob came off. Throttle still operational.

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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