# NTSB LAX04CA091: Fleet 2, N606M, Fresno, CA, January 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 10, 2004, 11:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.732223, -119.819725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7322&lon=-119.8197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58617/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA091 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to set the throttle friction lock, which resulted in the inadvertent application of the throttle, followed by a loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - throttle/power control friction lock - not set, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power lever - loose - throttle/power control - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During the landing roll, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, which then veered off the runway, encountered soft soil, and nosed over. The pilot said he performed maintenance on the throttle a few days prior to the accident. He loosened the throttle friction locks and forgot to tighten them. During landing, he took his hand off the throttle control and it went into the "wide open" position. The airplane swerved to the right, and then to the left and veered off the runway into soft dirt, and nosed over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On January 10, 2004, about 1155 Pacific standard time, a Fleet 2 bi-wing airplane, N606M, veered off of the runway, and came to rest inverted at the Fresno-Chandler Airport, Fresno, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed the Fresno-Chandler Airport, about 1145, to perform touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Opertor Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that a few days prior to the accident he performed maintenance on the throttle. After loosening the throttle friction locks, he forgot to tighten them. During the landing roll, he removed his hand from the throttle control, and it went into the "wide open" position. The airplane veered to the right, and then to the left, before coming to rest inverted. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector interviewed a witness to the accident. The witness stated that while he was taxing out of his hangar, he observed the airplane yawing from side to side, trying to establish a landing attitude on runway 30L. The left wing hit the ground and the airplane veered left, departing the runway. The airplane struck soft dirt, and nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N606M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N606M), registered now, S/N 182, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fleet 2 - Registry model: [Fleet 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/fleet-2) (registry code 1461202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner B5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-b5-series) (registry code 37501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 189 - Airframe hours: 3431 - Engines: Kinner B-5 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George Ermoian - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 2003, 82 hours before - Departed: FCH, Fresno, CA - Destination: FCH, Fresno, CA - Airport: FCH, Fresno-Chandler Airport, runway 30L, 3,202 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 1,285 total, 1,285 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040110000149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040110000149A), Jan 10, 2004: Brwstr FLEET2, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 10, 2004 at 1155 PST a fleet model ii (N606M) was landing at the Fresno Chandler airport, Fresno, CA, and the left lower wing contacted the… 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.