# NTSB FTW89LA139: Piper PA-24-260, N9183P, Llano, TX, July 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1989, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Llano, TX
- Location: 30.7510° N, 98.6765° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Llano, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7510&lon=-98.6765&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA139

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT CLOSING OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL WHILE HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO THE LANDING GEAR CYCLING. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT FOLLOWED BY A FORCED LANDING AND COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - erratic
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - mixture control - closed (cause)
  - mixture - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9183P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4673
- Airframe hours: 2446
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clyde E. Thomas, Jr.
- Registered owner: Thomas, Clyde E Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1988, 16 hours before
- Departed: 69R
- Airport: 6R9

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,229 total, 1,229 in this make and model, 1,229 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F

## 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 19890715022519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890715022519A), Jul 15, 1989: Piper PA24, Llano, TX, Substantial damage. Unsafe gear lights. Extended manual engine lost power. Wing hit tree. Crashed. Had pulled idle cut off by mistake.

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.