# NTSB CHI85FET02: Piper PA-28-140, N15074, Nappanee, IN, May 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1985, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Nappanee, IN
- Coordinates: 41.439239, -85.979911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4392&lon=-85.9799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FET02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FET02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power lever - inoperative (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR ON INITIAL CLIMB FROM A TOUCH & GO LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE THROTTLE LEVER COULD ROTATE ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT DESPITE THE ATTACHING BOLTS BEING TIGHT AND SAFETY WIRED. THIS SLIPPAGE COULD HAVE ALLOWED INDUCTION SUCTION TO CLOSE THE THROTTLE PLATE DURING TAKEOFF DESPITE THE THROTTLE CONTROL BEING IN THE FULL OPEN (IN) POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15074](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15074-1989-06-14), registration cancelled 1989-06-14, S/N 287225581 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225581
- Airframe hours: 3932
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles H.Smith
- Registered owner: Delbert W. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1985, 8 hours before
- Airport: C03, Nappanee Municipal, runway 27, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 74 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBNQ, 31 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 19850525020709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850525020709A), May 25, 1985: Piper PA28140, Nappanee, IN, Substantial damage. Loss of power after takeoff due to carburetor lever arm slippage. Flipped over on landing. Student endorsement void.

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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