# NTSB NYC97LA109: Piper PA-15, N4173H, Easton, PA, June 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 1997, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Easton, PA - Coordinates: 40.679843, -75.219375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6798&lon=-75.2194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA109 ## Probable cause A failed aileron pulley which resulted in loss of tension and subsequent loss of aileron control. A factor was the failure of the mechanic to detect the failed aileron pulley during the annual inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - flt control syst,aileron control - failure,partial (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After departure and level off, the pilot performed a shallow left turn. When he tried to level the wings, he found he had lost aileron control. By use of the rudder and power, he performed a forced landing into a field and struck trees. Post accident investigation revealed the accident flight was the first flight following an annual inspection, and that a pulley in the aileron system, located on a wing strut, was chipped, and that the aileron cable had come out of its track, and tension was lost in the aileron system. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 1997 about 0915 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-15 aircraft, N4173H, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Easton, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot that he departed from Easton Airport and climbed to 1,200 feet MSL, and set cruise power at 2250 RPM. He further stated: "...I rolled the plane into a shallow bank and turned to a 45 degree N heading relative to the runway. After a short time initiated a shallow bank to the left. When I sought to level the plane I had not aileron control. The plane continued in a shallow bank and was starting to circle. When I applied opposite rudder the wing would lift only to settle back to a left wing low turn - I was concerned with the plane going inverted. The wind was carrying me toward Nazaretly. I elected to try to descend and to utilize the three large open fields under and to the west of me. By controlling my rate of descent via the throttle and still describing large circles I maneuvered the plane into the northwest corner of a large field. I pulled the power and tried to land I could not get plane down - I would not try to slip - the tree line was coming up I was about 4 - 6 feet AGL - I pulled up to impact the trees higher - I hit, broke thru and dropped - Lots of plane damage, lots of pilot bruises." The accident flight was the first flight for the airplane following an annual inspection. The airplane was examined by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration who reported that the pulley for the aileron cable mounted on the wing strut was chipped. This allowed the cable to come off track with a loss of cable tension in the aileron control system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4173H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4173H), registered now, S/N 15-56 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-15 - Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15-56 - Airframe hours: 2186 - Engines: Lycoming O-145-2B 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Wetzell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: N43 - Destination: 69N, SLATINGTON, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 127 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F ## 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 19970607013589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970607013589A), Jun 7, 1997: Piper PA15, Easton, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft climbed to 1200 ft and pilot heard loud pop, lost aileron control, attempted to land, hit trees. (.4) after departure and level off, the pilot… 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.