# NTSB BFO88DIA01: Terry Osprey II, N70J, Manassas, VA, June 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1988, 06:48 local (10:48 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88DIA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88DIA01

## 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
  - throttle/power lever,cable - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ON INITIAL CLIMB AT AN ALT OF 300 FT AGL, ENGINE POWER BEGAN TO DECAY. A RIGHT TURN WAS INITIATED TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY BUT A FURTHER LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A FIELD. THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND CAME TO REST IN A WOODED AREA ON THE ARPT PROPERTY. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAME LOOSE AT THE THROTTLE LEVER INSIDE THE COCKPIT. THE CARBURETOR WAS NOT SPRING LOADED TO KEEP THE THROTTLE AT FULL POWER. THIS WAS THE MAIDEN FLT OF THE HOMEBUILT/EXPERIMENTAL ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70J-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TERRY OSPREY II
- Registry model: [Terry James L OSPREY II](https://openairdocs.org/model/terry-james-l-osprey-ii) (registry code 957052Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James L. Terry
- Registered owner: Terry, James L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 22, 1988
- Departed: W10
- Airport: W10, Manassas, runway 34R, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,197 total, 1,885 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880629024269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880629024269A), Jun 29, 1988: Amtros OSPREY2, Manassas, VA, Destroyed. Engine went to idle on climbout. Struck trees. Throttle cable came loose in cockpit. Set screw not tight enough.

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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