# NTSB BFO91LA030: Piper PA-24-250, N6699P, Hagerstown, MD, March 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1991, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Hagerstown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.630897, -77.71035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6309&lon=-77.7104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA030

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE. A FACTOR WS THE ROUGH TERRAIN.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,total (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,cable - sheared (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO IDLE.  HE WAS FLYING IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT THE TIME, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY.  THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FRACTURE SURFACES OF THE STRAND SHOWED EVIDENCE OF CUT MARKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6699P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6699P-1994-04-19), registration cancelled 1994-04-19, S/N 241825 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-18-25
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rick W. Crow
- Registered owner: Rick W. Crow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1990, 0 hours before
- Departed: W35, BERKELEY SPRING, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 330 total, 110 in this make and model, 278 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HGR, 1 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 19910307004409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910307004409A), Mar 7, 1991: Piper PA24, Hagerstown, MD, Substantial damage. Reported throttle cable broke. Engine idled. Unable runway. Crashed 100FT short of runway. Evidence cable was cut.

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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