# NTSB FTW98LA345: Fennell VP2, N2099J, Collinsville, OK, August 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1998, 19:00 local (Aug 6, 1998, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Collinsville, OK - Coordinates: 36.370437, -95.849998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3704&lon=-95.8500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43666 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA345 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43666/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA345 ## Probable cause The loose throttle control cable resulting in the loss of engine power. A factor was the pilot's decision to intentionally stall the airplane close to the ground during the forced landing to an open field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - throttle/power lever,cable - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - stall - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis After about 20 minutes of flight, and while setting up to enter a local landing pattern, the engine began to slowly loose power, and the engine 'quit.' Subsequently, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft toward an open field, and at about 20 to 25 feet AGL, initiated a 'power off' stall. Upon ground contact, the airplane veered about 180 degrees 'violently to the right.' Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector after the accident, revealed that a single set screw had been used to secure the throttle cable at the throttle arm. The screw was found to be 'loose' in the carburetor barrel and did not appear to be tight against the cable end. A similar wire cable end was easily pushed through the barrel, indicating that the throttle control cable may not have been securely fastened to the throttle arm prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1998, approximately 1900 central daylight time, a Fennell VP2 homebuilt experimental airplane, N2099J, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Collinsville, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from a private grass airstrip about 20 minutes prior to the accident. The 1,500 hour pilot stated that while setting up to enter a landing pattern at a private airstrip, the engine began to slowly loose power, and the engine "quit." Subsequently, he maneuvered the aircraft toward an open field, and at about 20 to 25 feet AGL, initiated a "power off" stall. Upon ground contact, the airplane veered about 180 degrees "violently to the right." With the exception of the floor-seat combination, everything forward of the aft spar bulkhead essentially disintegrated. Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector after the accident, revealed that a single set screw had been used to secure the throttle cable at the throttle arm. The screw was found to be "loose" in the carburetor barrel and did not appear to be tight against the cable end. A similar wire cable end was easily pushed through the barrel, indicating that the throttle control cable may not have been securely fastened to the throttle arm prior to the accident. The Volkswagen powered airplane had accumulated a total of 93 flight hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2099J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2099J-1998-09-29), registration cancelled 1998-09-29, S/N V21759 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fennell VP2 - Registry model: [Fennell Dennis W VP-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/fennell-dennis-w-vp-2) (registry code 05626LF) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V2-1759 - Airframe hours: 93 - Engines: Volkswagen 1834CC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dennis W. Fennell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1995, 50 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,500 total, 93 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL, 15 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 19980805044969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980805044969A), Aug 5, 1998: Amtr VP2, Collinsville, OK, Destroyed. (.4) After about 20 minutes of flight, and while setting up to enter a local landing pattern, the engine began to slowly loose power, and the engine `quit.'… 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.