# NTSB ERA11CA108: Piper PA-22-150, N5706D, Thomaston, GA, January 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 6, 2011, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Thomaston, GA - Coordinates: 32.958889, -84.281669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9589&lon=-84.2817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78128/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78128 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA108 ## Probable cause The mechanic's failure to install a cotter retaining pin in the throttle arm retaining nut resulting in excessive throttle play and loss of engine power control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane had returned to service after being restored by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. The pilot performed several takeoffs and landings prior to the accident flight, and noted that the airplane seemed to operate normally. The pilot departed to another airport where he completed a simulated instrument approach to about 50 feet above the runway. He then commenced a go-around over the departure end of the runway with the airplane about 300 feet above the ground. The engine experienced a partial loss of power and the pilot maneuvered the airplane a hay field, where he performed a forced landing. During the landing roll, the horizontal stabilizer struck a hay bale resulting in substantial damage to the empennage. A postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that a cotter pin was not installed on the throttle arm retaining nut. The throttle arm retaining nut was finger tight and the throttle arm was loose, which resulted in excessive play in the throttle linkage. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the airplane had returned to service after being restored by a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. The pilot performed several takeoffs and landings prior to the accident flight, and the airplane seemed normal. The pilot subsequently took off again and flew to another airport where he completed a simulated instrument approach to about 50 feet above the runway. He then commenced a go around and was over the departure end of the runway, about 300 feet above the ground, when the engine had a partial power loss. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to a forced landing in a hay field, and during the landing roll, the horizontal stabilizer struck a hay bale resulting in substantial damage to the empennage. A subsequent examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that a cotter pin was not installed on the throttle arm retaining nut. The throttle arm retaining nut was finger tight and the throttle arm was loose. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5706D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5706D), registered now, S/N 22-4402 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-4402 - Airframe hours: 3147 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Reese Lonnie E - Registered owner: Reese Lonnie E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2011, 1 hours before - Departed: OPN, Thomaston, GA - Destination: 5A9, Warm Springs, GA - Airport: OPN, Thomaston-Upson County Airport, runway 30, 6,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 24,000 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: OPN, 1 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 20110106002789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110106002789A), Jan 6, 2011: Piper PA-22-150, Thomaston, GA, Substantial damage. On January 06, 2011 at 1530 local I was notified by the regional operations center that a Piper pa 22 lost power while departing runway 30 at Thomaston, GA.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78128. 847 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Statement Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Statement%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Weather Reports: OPN METARs (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20OPN%20METARs-Master.PDF - Photographs of Accident Airplane (item 4, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs%20of%20Accident%20Airplane-Master.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.