# NTSB CEN11LA671: Fisher Michael E Hyster, N7167S, Lake Jackson, TX, August 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2011, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Lake Jackson, TX - Coordinates: 29.166944, -95.409446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1669&lon=-95.4094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO Houston - NTSB case key (mKey): 81922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA671 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81922/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81922 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA671 ## Probable cause The improper maintenance of the throttle control cable, which resulted in the engine going to idle power after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Fisher Michael E HYSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056164T), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Fisher Michael E HYSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=056164T), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Fisher Michael E HYSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056164T), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Fisher Michael E HYSTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056164T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experimental airplane recently had a new engine and propeller installed, and an associate of the owner was going to test fly the airplane after the installation. Shortly after takeoff, the engine went to idle and the pilot was forced to land. While maneuvering toward an open field, the airplane collided with a power line, bounced hard on the ground, and flipped inverted. Postaccident examination of the engine and carburetor revealed that the set screw that held the throttle cable to the carburetor was loose. The cable could be moved freely by hand through the carburetor arm with no restriction. The cable showed no evidence that it had been scored or pulled when the engine separated during the accident. No marks were found where the set screw should have been tightened in place on the cable. In addition, when the cable was inserted back into the carburetor arm, it took one full turn of the set screw to make contact and secure the cable in place. The condition and lack of security of the throttle cable most likely resulted in a reduced fuel flow to the carburetor and the subsequent partial loss of engine power. Usable fuel was present in the airplane and no other malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine were found that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2011, approximately 1145 central daylight time, a Fisher Hyster experimental airplane, N7167S, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines and the ground during a forced landing while maneuvering after takeoff from Bailes Airport (7R9), Angelton, Texas. The non-certificated pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal regulations Part 91. According to the registered owner, the airplane recently had a new engine and propeller installed. An associate of the owner intended to test fly the airplane. Shortly after takeoff while maneuvering, the engine went to idle and the pilot was forced to land. While maneuvering toward an open field to land, the airplane collided with a power line, bounced hard on the ground and flipped inverted. The fuselage and wings were buckled and the engine was found separated from its mounts. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. He reported that the fixed landing gear of the airplane had apparently contacted the power lines while the pilot was maneuvering for the forced landing. Further inspection of the engine and carburetor revealed that the set screw that held the throttle cable to the carburetor was loose. The cable could be moved freely by hand through the carburetor arm with no restriction. The cable showed no evidence that it had been scored or pulled when the engine had separated during the accident. No marks were found where the set screw would have been tightened in place on the cable. In addition, when the cable was inserted back into the carburetor arm, it took one full turn of the set screw to make contact and secure the cable in place. Usable fuel was present in the airplane, and no other anomalies were found with the engine or airframe. The NTSB IIC contacted the owner of the airplane by telephone shortly after the accident. During that conversation, the owner acknowledged that he would complete NTSB Form 6120 and return the form. During a subsequent conversation, the owner acknowledged receipt and completion of Form 6120 and stated that he would return the form. Repeated attempts to obtain the form were not successful. To this date, the Form 6120 has not been returned to the NTSB. The pilot of the airplane could not be located by either the FAA or the NTSB to provide additional information on the event. The FAA could not confirm whether or not the pilot held a vaild pilot certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7167S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7167S-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N AH0001, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FISHER MICHAEL E Hyster - Registry model: [Fisher Michael E HYSTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/fisher-michael-e-hyster) (registry code 056164T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AH0001 - Airframe hours: 159 - Engines: Volkswagon 2400cc 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Phillips Ronald R - Registered owner: Phillips Ronald R - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 6, 2011, 1 hours before - Departed: 7R9, Angleton, TX - Destination: 7R9, Angleton, TX - Airport: 7R9, Bailes Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: serious; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: LBX, 3 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 20110813022079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110813022079A), Aug 13, 2011: Fisher Michael E HYSTER, Lake Jackson, TX, Destroyed. The experimental aircraft (Hyster ii) was being test flown after having a new engine and propeller installed. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft's engine went… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 2, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81922. 1.6 MB in all. - Media Article with Image of Wreckage (item 1, .PDF, 420 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Media%20Article%20with%20Image%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Overhead Image of Accident Area (item 2, .PDF, 697 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Overhead%20Image%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Metar Information (item 3, .PDF, 359 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Metar%20Information-Master.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation with Airplane Owner (item 4, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20with%20Airplane%20Owner-Master.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation with FSDO Inspector (item 5, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20with%20FSDO%20Inspector-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.