# NTSB CHI08CA103: Koleno Titan T-51, N614TB, Geneva, OH, April 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2008, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Geneva, OH - Coordinates: 41.777778, -80.903892 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7778&lon=-80.9039&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cleveland, Ohio - NTSB case key (mKey): 68024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68024/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA103 ## Probable cause The failure of the propeller pitch control mechanism during approach. Contributing to the accident were the inability of the pilot to maintain airspeed and altitude, and the unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Propeller system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Koleno William TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100/cases.md?model=05626C0), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Koleno William TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05626C0), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Koleno William TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05626C0), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Koleno William TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=05626C0), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Koleno William TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05626C0), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Koleno William TITAN T-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05626C0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing during landing approach. The pilot reported that as he circled the airport, the engine speed went to 6,000 RPM. He stated that he pulled the power back, lowered the landing gear and increased the propeller pitch. He said that the airplane began to stall and he could not maintain altitude. He executed a forced landing to a wetland. The right wing struck the water and broke off spinning the airplane around. Subsequent examination of the controllable pitch propeller revealed that a jack screw pin had sheared allowing the prop to go to a fine pitch setting. One of the blade pitch stops also broke resulting in the blade moving into a reverse pitch position. ## Factual narrative The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing during landing approach. The pilot reported that as he circled the airport, the engine speed went to 6,000 RPM. He stated that he pulled the power back, lowered the landing gear and increased the propeller pitch. He said that the airplane began to stall and he could not maintain altitude. He executed a forced landing to a wetland. The right wing struck the water and broke off spinning the airplane around. Subsequent examination of the controllable pitch propeller revealed that a jack screw pin had sheared allowing the prop to go to a fine pitch setting. One of the blade pitch stops also broke resulting in the blade moving into a reverse pitch position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N614TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N614TB-2024-01-02), registration cancelled 2024-01-02, S/N M05XXXSOHK0087 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Koleno Titan T-51 - Registry model: [Koleno William TITAN T-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/koleno-william-titan-t-51) (registry code 05626C0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Suzuki G10](https://openairdocs.org/engine/suzuki-g10) (registry code 59299, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M05XXXSOHK0087 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Suzuki H27A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: HZY, Ashtabula, OH - Destination: 7D9, Gevena, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; flight hours: 1,626 total, 350 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080403846299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080403846299A), Apr 3, 2008: TITANT51, Geneva, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman stated he was established downwind for runway 19, at 7D9, when the propeller went into an overspeed condition which airman had no control over.… 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.