FTW95LA258

The student pilot reported that during a descent to the traffic pattern for landing, he had 'trouble' with the propeller governor motor, while transitioning from low RPM to high RPM. Also, he said that the airplane was high and fast on final approach, so he elected to go around. During the go-around, he noticed that the airspeed and the engine RPM began to decrease. He elected to fly a right pattern and return for landing on the same runway. During the turn from right base to final, the aircraft was 'no longer able to maintain altitude' and struck a utility pole with its left wing, separating it from the fuselage. An examination of the propeller system revealed a loose wire (cable) to the propeller governor.

On June 23, 1995, at 1340 central daylight time, a Beech 35, N5273C, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while on approach to landing near Kingston, Oklahoma. The student pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional cross country flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at Chickasha Municipal Airport, Chickasha, Oklahoma, at 1240.

The enclosed Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) states that the pilot experienced "trouble" with the prop governor motor while making the transition from low RPM to high RPM while descending to pattern altitude. While on final approach to runway 18 at Lake Texoma State Park, the pilot "noticed that his altitude was...above glide slope and his airspeed was too high for a safe landing" so he executed a go-around.

During the go-around, the pilot "noticed airspeed began to decrease and engine RPM began to decrease drastically." He executed a right hand pattern in order to avoid the possibility of a water landing. During the turn from right base to final approach for runway 18, the aircraft was "no longer able to maintain altitude and settled to the ground...clipping an electrical pole with the left wing..." and separating it from the fuselage.

In an enclosed witness statement, the pilot told another pilot flying in the area at the time of the accident that he was "having some problems keeping his RPMs up." The witness observed the pilot make a "low pass" over the runway and then execute a go around. "He wasn't gaining the altitude he needed for a normal downwind." The pilot then came over the radio again and reported that he was "only getting around 1500 [RPM]." "I saw him turn right base...he was too low and too slow and he was trying to turn his airplane back for the runway."

Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft flying at "a height no more than 50 feet in the air." Two witnesses also reported seeing the tail of the aircraft "drop" prior to impact.

Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the wiring to the propeller governor was lose.