# NTSB ERA11CA243: Piper PA-28-180, N5325L, Latrobe, PA, April 14, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 13, 2011, 20:20 local (Apr 14, 2011, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Latrobe, PA
- Coordinates: 40.274723, -79.406669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2747&lon=-79.4067&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-IFR initial approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78864/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78864
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA243

## Probable cause

Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the throttle cable to the fuel servo.

## 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 · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=7102808), [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.

- [Approach-IFR initial approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While flying an instrument landing system approach with his flight instructor, the pilot said he added power to stay on the glide slope but the engine remained at 1,600 rpm. He declared an emergency with the tower air traffic controller, and looked for a suitable forced landing area. During the forced landing on a hill, the wings and landing gear received substantial damage. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the throttle cable separated from the arm of the fuel servo. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the airplane had undergone an engine change 32 hours prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The commercial pilot stated that he was practicing an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach with his flight instructor/passenger. While on the glideslope, he attempted to add power, but noted no response from the engine. The engine revolutions per minute (rpm) remained at 1600. The pilot declared an emergency with the air traffic control tower, and began looking for an alternate off field landing site. Once located, he landed on a hill, substantially damaging the wings and landing gear. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the throttle cable had come loose from the arm on the fuel servo. A review of the airplane's maintenance records found that the airplane had undergone an engine change 32 hours prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5325L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5325L-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N 28-4628, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4628
- Airframe hours: 7745
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 4, 2011, 30 hours before
- Departed: LBE, Latrobe, PA
- Destination: LBE, Latrobe, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 340 total, 1 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: LBE, 3 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 20110413012119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110413012119A), Apr 13, 2011: Piper PA-28-180, Latrobe, PA, Substantial damage. During IFR proficiency flight, practicing precision approaches, the engine would no longer respond to throttle input by the pilot and remained at 1600 RPM. The…

## Other investigations on N5325L (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA71FWG34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71FWG34), Dec 4, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N5325L), Pasco, WA, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78864. 311 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 311 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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