# NTSB DFW08CA136: Piper PA-36, N2368Y, Thomas, OK, May 9, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 9, 2008, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Thomas, OK
- Coordinates: 35.544723, -98.668334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5447&lon=-98.6683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA136

## Probable cause

The disconnected throttle linkage resulting in the loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb.  A factor contributing to the accident was the muddy forced landing site.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7103612), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7103612), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103612), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-300, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103612), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot had just departed for an aerial application flight when shortly after takeoff the airplane's engine lost power.  The pilot reported that the engine seemed to go to idle, and that he was unable to restore power. During the forced landing, the airplane was substantially damaged.  A postaccident inspection of the engine revealed that the bolt holding the throttle linkage to the fuel servo was missing. Because of the missing bolt, the throttle linkage became disconnected, and the pilot was unable to restore engine power.

## Factual narrative

The commercial pilot had just departed for an aerial application flight, when shortly after take-off the single-engine airplane lost engine power.  The pilot reported that the engine seemed to go to idle and that he was unable to restore power.  He then maneuvered the aircraft for a landing.  During the forced landing, the aircraft was substantially damaged.  A post inspection of the aircraft engine revealed that the bolt holding the throttle linkage to the fuel servo was missing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2368Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2368Y-2016-11-04), registration cancelled 2016-11-04, S/N 36-8160020, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-8160020
- Airframe hours: 6442
- Engines: Lycoming IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2008
- Departed: WEATHERFORD, OK
- Destination: Thomas, OK
- Airport: F91, Thomas P Stafford

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 20,537 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 20,317 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KCLK, 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 20080509832469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080509832469A), May 9, 2008: Piper PA36300, Thomas, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 9, 2008, the pilot [privacy data omitted] was the pilot of a 1981 PA-36-300 N2368Y, that had just departed the Thomas, Oklahoma (1O4) airport with…

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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