# NTSB CHI97LA244: Piper PA-24-250, N720MB, Fond Du Lac, WI, August 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1997, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Fond Du Lac, WI - Coordinates: 43.769359, -88.439529 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7694&lon=-88.4395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10660/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA244 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the throttle control friction lock, and his inadequate remedial action. Related factors were his lack of experience in type of aircraft, the pilot's habit interference, and the presence of parked (standing) aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - throttle/power control friction lock - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor) ## Analysis As the pilot started taxiing before takeoff, he used heavy throttle application to get the airplane to move up an incline, from where the airplane had been parked, to reach a taxiway. When the airplane reached the top of the incline, the nosewheel bounced, and the pilot lost control. The airplane continued moving and impacted five stationary airplanes before coming to a stop. Subsequent to the accident, the throttle, brakes, magneto switch, and mixture were checked, and all were found to operate normally. The throttle was a vernier type, and the brakes were of the hand brake type. Until operating this airplane, the pilot had been operating airplanes with a friction lock type throttle and toe brakes. He had 16 hours total time in the accident airplane with about 6 hours solo. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1997, at 1535 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N720MB, received substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff at the Fond Du Lac Airport, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, when control was lost and it struck five other parked airplanes. The private pilot reported no injuries; however his passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot said that control was lost when he applied power to get over the lip of the taxiway. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The airplane was preparing for departure at the time of the accident. The pilot said that he had to use about three-quarter throttle to get the airplane to move up the incline to the taxiway and when the nosewheel bounced onto the taxiway it was turned to the left and he lost control of the airplane. An examination of the airplane after the accident failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies. The throttle in the accident airplane was a vernier control type and required pushing a button or rotating to change the throttle setting. The throttle was found in the full forward position. An examination of the throttle found that it was connected to the carburetor and functioned. The mixture was in the full rich position. A check of the mixture control found that it was connected to the carburetor and functioned. The magneto switch was on both. A check of the switch found that it functioned at the leads on the magnetos. The airplane had a hand brake which operated brakes on the main landing gear. The brakes were examined and functioned. The pilot had a total time in this type of airplane of 16 hours. Of this time 6 hours were solo. The flight from his home airport to Fond Du Lac was about 3 hours. This was the first airplane he had flown which did not have toe brakes or friction (other than vernier) throttles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N720MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N720MB-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 24-1284, built 1959 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1284 - Airframe hours: 2222 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel W. Murray - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1996, 21 hours before - Departed: FLD - Airport: FLD, Fond Du Lac County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 173 total, 16 in this make and model, 173 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KOS, 15 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 19970802039689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970802039689A), Aug 2, 1997: Piper PA24250, Fond Du Lac, WI, Substantial damage. Lost control during power up to taxi over lip of concrete. Struck 5 parked aircraft. (-23) on aug 2, 1997, at 1545 central daylight time a PA-24-250 N720MB,… 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.