# NTSB FTW90LA153: Piper PA-34-200, N15515, Denton, TX, August 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1990, 21:00 local (Aug 8, 1990, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Denton, TX
- Location: 33.2020° N, 97.1991° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DENTON ENTERPRISE (DTO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2020&lon=-97.1991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA153

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT IN A TIMELY MANNER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE THROTTLES, AND AIRCRAFT ENGINE OUT CAPABILITY EXCEEDED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - aircraft performance,engine out capability - exceeded
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS SUPERVISING THE STUDENT PILOT IN THE CONDUCT OF A SINGLE-ENGINE APPROACH AND LANDING. THE NIGHT APPROACH WAS CONTINUED TO A SHORT FINAL. THE INSTRUCTOR ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, DUE TO OVER-CONTROLLING ON THE PART OF THE STUDENT PILOT. HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND, REQUESTING THAT THE STUDENT PILOT ADVANCE THE THROTTLES. HE DID NOT VERIFY THAT THE THROTTLES HAD BEEN ADVANCED. CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOST, WHEN VMC WAS NOT MAINTAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15515](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15515-2012-10-15), registration cancelled 2012-10-15, S/N 34-7350071, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7350071
- Airframe hours: 4494
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-LE16 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Paul M. Atkinson
- Registered owner: Patco Construction Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 1990, 4 hours before
- Departed: H2Q, MESQUITE, TX
- Airport: DTO, Denton Municipal, runway 35, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,411 total, 23 in this make and model, 1,287 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900807031559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900807031559A), Aug 7, 1990: Piper PA34200, Denton, TX, Substantial damage. Throttled left engine for simulated engine out. Told student to go around. Got right engine only. VMC exceeded.

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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