# NTSB ERA09LA072: Leroy Lakey Corben ACE, N13LL, Cherryville, NC, November 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 2008, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Cherryville, NC - Coordinates: 35.367221, -81.355278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3672&lon=-81.3553&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69507 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69507/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69507 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA072 ## Probable cause A throttle control malfunction during initial climb, as reported by the pilot. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Anderson Louis CORBEN ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=00301JN), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Anderson Louis CORBEN ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=00301JN), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Anderson Louis CORBEN ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=00301JN), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane's throttle could not be advanced and became stuck in the idle position. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest on the ground in a vertical attitude. The nose of the airplane and both wings were crushed aft. Postaccident examination of the throttle control revealed that it moved freely throughout its range of motion both before and after the carburetor was heated to operating temperatures using a heat-gun. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was manufactured in 1973. The airplane had been operated for about 445 hours since it was built, and 4 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 2 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 2008, about 1500 eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Corben Ace D, N13LL, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after takeoff from a private airstrip in Cherryville, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for Lincoln County Regional Airport, Lincolnton, North Carolina. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 500 feet above the ground, the throttle control could not be advanced. He attempted to retard and advance the throttle; however, the throttle remained in the idle position. The pilot attempted to land in a field; however, the airplane impacted trees, and came to rest on the ground, in a vertical attitude. The nose of the airplane and both wings were crushed aft. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the throttle control revealed that it moved freely throughout its range of motion both before and after the carburetor was heated to operating temperatures using a heat-gun. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1973, and equipped with a Teledyne Continental Motors AC-65 series engine; however, according to the FAA inspector, the engine did not contain a data plate. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 445 hours since it was built, and 4 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed on September 18, 2008. The pilot reported 611 hours of total flight experience, which included about 4 hours in the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13LL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13LL-2009-03-09), registration cancelled 2009-03-09, S/N 1170, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Leroy Lakey CORBEN ACE (D) - Registry model: [Anderson Louis CORBEN ACE D](https://openairdocs.org/model/anderson-louis-corben-ace-d) (registry code 00301JN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1170 - Airframe hours: 440 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeffery A. Lynn - Registered owner: Jeffery A. Lynn - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 18, 2008, 4 hours before - Departed: NONE, Bessemer City, NC - Destination: IPJ, Lincolnton, NC - Airport: NONE, Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 611 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: AKH, 16 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 20081126853089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081126853089A), Nov 26, 2008: Anders CORBENACED, Bessemer City, NC, Destroyed. N13LL departed mauney airstrip in bessermer city, NC after several touch and go's the engine loss power and the pilot attempted to return the airstrip. The… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69507. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 1, .PDF, 703 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF - FAA Memorandum and Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316025&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Memorandum%20and%20Pilot%20Statement%20-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Records (excerpts) (item 3, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(excerpts)-Redacted.PDF - FAA Airworthiness Certificate Application and Bill of Sale (item 4, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Airworthiness%20Certificate%20Application%20and%20Bill%20of%20Sale-Redacted.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.