# NTSB SEA89LA153: Piper PA-28, N7358J, Mulino, OR, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Mulino, OR
- Coordinates: 45.200729, -122.539466 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2007&lon=-122.5395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA153

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND ROUTING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE LINE AND/OR ELECTRICAL WIRING, DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN MECHANICAL BINDING OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL COLUMN.  THE FENCE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line - improper (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - improper (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - climb - not possible

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PVT PLT APPLIED BACK PRESSURE FOR LIFT-OFF, BUT THE CONTROL COLUMN WAS RESTRICTED FROM MOVING AFT. AS THE ACFT NEARED THE END OF THE RWY, BOTH PLTS PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET THE ACFT AIRBORNE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET THE ACFT TO CLIMB. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH THE ARPT BOUNDRY FENCE & CRASHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE LINE TO THE FUEL GAGE HAD BEEN RUBBING ON THE RIGHT CONTROL WHEEL SPROCKET, & AVIONICS WIRING WAS FOUND IN & AROUND THE CONTROL COLUMN AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7358J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7358J-1990-07-16), registration cancelled 1990-07-16, S/N 2824710 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24710
- Airframe hours: 3799
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-C2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mulino Air Center
- Registered owner: Johnson, Perry A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1989, 18 hours before
- Airport: 4S9, Mulino, runway 30, 2,100 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 945 total, 32 in this make and model, 869 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19890819030529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819030529A), Aug 19, 1989: Piper PA28140, Mulino, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot reported yoke jammed on takeoff. Cleared a fence and impacted other side.

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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