# NTSB NYC89LA083: Piper PA-28-161, N38529, Yarmouth, MA, February 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1989, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Yarmouth, MA
- Location: 41.7057° N, 70.2286° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yarmouth, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7057&lon=-70.2286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor, 3 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA083

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED FROM BINDING OF THE CARBUERATOR THROTTLE SHAFT. THE BINDING RESULTED FROM AN IMPROPER OVERHAUL OF THE CARBUERTOR APPROXIMATELY 10 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,carburetor - jammed (cause)
  - fuel system - restricted
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28, WAS ON A 2 MILE RIGHT BASE LEG TO RUNWAY 24 AT HYANNIS AIRPORT, MA, AND HAD JUST REDUCED POWER WHEN THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE PILOT FELT THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT, SO HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY THE LANDING GEAR HIT A CAR, KILLING A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE CAR. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE SHAFT HAD SEIZED WITH THE THROTTLE PLATE IN THE CLOSED POSITION. EXAM OF SHAFT SCRATCHING AND GALLING AT THE BUSHING. TESTING OF THE BUSHING AND SHAFT REVEALED BOTH WERE MANUFACTURED OF THE SAME MATERIAL AND WERE BELOW THE HARDNESS SPECIFICATION OF THE CARBURETOR MANUFACTURER. THE CARBURETOR HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED APPROXIMATELY 10 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38529](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38529-1995-06-27), registration cancelled 1995-06-27, S/N 287716266 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7716266
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Orme & R.Feuersange
- Registered owner: Raa Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1988
- Departed: TAUNTON, MA
- Destination: HYA, HYANNIS, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 9 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken

## 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 19890211065539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890211065539A), Feb 11, 1989: Piper PA28161, Hyannis, MA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Throttle shaft seized on approach to airport. Unable to add power elected to land on highway and struck a vehicle.

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.