# NTSB NYC89LA198: Cessna 172P, N65105, Gardner, MA, August 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1989, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, MA
- Location: 42.5842° N, 71.9887° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gardner, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5842&lon=-71.9887&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA198

## Probable cause

THE WORN THROTTLE ARM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power lever,bellcrank - worn (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL RUN-UP BEFORE TAKING OFF & NOTED NO PROBLEMS. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING & THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE ARM WAS WORN, WHICH ALLOWED THE THROTTLE CABLE TO SLIP WITHOUT THROTTLE MOVEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65105](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65105-1990-08-14), registration cancelled 1990-08-14, S/N 17275685 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275685
- Airframe hours: 3057
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter Erik Thomassen
- Registered owner: Fitchburg Colonial Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1989, 45 hours before
- Destination: FIT, FITCHBURG, MA
- Airport: GDM, Gardner, runway 18, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 300 in this make and model, 565 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890818030519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890818030519A), Aug 18, 1989: Cessna 172P, Gardner, MA, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Descended into trees. Worn throttle arm slipped power back to idle.

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.

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