# NTSB LAX01LA097: Piper PA-24-250, N8286P, Petaluma, CA, February 14, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2001, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Petaluma, CA - Coordinates: 38.257778, -122.605278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2578&lon=-122.6053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 51734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51734/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA097 ## Probable cause Failure of non-airframe and powerplant mechanic/certificated owners to properly install a new mixture cable that became entangled in the nose landing gear during its extension for landing, resulting in a loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, landing - maintenance,installation - improper, unqualified person (cause) - mixture control,linkage - disengaged (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) - Hard landing, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis During landing, the engine lost power. The airplane collided with trees, and made a hard landing in an open dirt field in the ensuing forced landing. On the downwind leg for landing, the pilot lowered the landing gear, and the engine began to run rough. He noted that the landing gear stopped about halfway down. He attempted to add power, but did not receive a corresponding power increase, and set up for an emergency landing. A visual external examination of the engine revealed that the mixture cable was entangled in the nose landing gear. When the landing gear was lowered the mixture cable was pulled out of its sleeve, which allowed the engine to be in a full lean position. Mixture, throttle, and propeller cables were recently installed by the pilot and his two partners. The pilot and his partners were not certificated A & P mechanics, and a certified mechanic had not returned the airplane to service after the cable installation. The last entry in the logbook was made 6 months prior to the accident,. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2001, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N8286P, experienced a loss of power during landing at the Petaluma Muni Airport, Petaluma, California. The airplane collided with a tree and impacted the ground 100 yards short of the runway. The airplane was owned and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed. The flight departed the Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, California, at 1145, and was scheduled to terminate at the Petaluma airport. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that he conducted the prelanding checklist on downwind for runway 11, which included reducing power and lowering the landing gear. He saw the instrument panel flex forward and the engine began to run rough. He attempted to add power, but there was not a corresponding power increase. The pilot stated that he set the airplane up for best glide and continued the flight to the airport. About 300 yards from the end of runway 29 the airplane struck a tree. The airplane continued over a street and fence, where it came to rest about 150 yards from the departure end of runway 29. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board he indicated that the landing gear stopped about halfway down and then he felt a "severe" vibration. After the engine quit he continued in the pattern to set up for an emergency landing in an open field on airport property. The airplane was inspected on scene by an FAA inspector. He visually inspected the fuel tanks. Each outboard fuel tank had half a tank of fuel, and the main fuel tanks were full. During the inspection of the airplane, the FAA inspector noted that the mixture cable was entangled in the nose landing gear. When the landing gear was lowered, it pulled the mixture cable "out of its holder," which allowed the engine to be in a full lean position. The pilot informed the FAA inspector that he and his two partners had recently installed the mixture, throttle, and propeller cables. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot and his partners were not certified airframe and power plant (A & P) mechanics. He further noted that a certificated A & P mechanic had not returned the airplane to service. A review of the airplane logbook by the Safety Board investigator disclosed that the last entry was made on September 18, 2000. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8286P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8286P), registered now, S/N 24-3538, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3538 - Airframe hours: 2339 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas A. Conroy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2000 - Departed: STS, Santa Rosa, CA - Destination: O69, PETALUMA, CA - Airport: O69, Petaluma Muni, runway 11, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 18, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 331 total, 241 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: STS, 22 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 20010214003459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010214003459A), Feb 14, 2001: Piper PA24250, Petaluma, CA, No damage. (-19) On February 14, 2001, at 1230 hours PST, a Piper PA-24-250, N8286P, experienced a loss of power while attempting a go-around at the Petaluma muni… 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.