# NTSB SEA97LA022: Collier Q200, N200CQ, Estacada, OR, October 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 1996, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Estacada, OR - Coordinates: 45.199584, -122.060958 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1996&lon=-122.0610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 72-06-05 R2](https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-06-05-R2) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 42536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42536/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA022 ## Probable cause inadequate maintenance adjustment by the owner/pilot/mechanic, by not using safety wire to secure the throttle arm clamping screw, which resulted in a loose clamping screw and rotation of the throttle arm with respect to the butterfly valve shaft. The lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - maintenance,adjustment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - not safetied (cause) - throttle/power lever,linkage - loose (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis During a maintenance test flight of a home built aircraft, the pilot apparently initiated an emergency landing on a gravel road. The road was bordered on both sides by tall trees. On the right side of the road, power lines (lower than tree top level) paralleled the road. During the descent, the right canard and right rear wing came in contact with the power lines. The airplane then collided with the road and came to rest off the right side of the road among the trees. Wreckage examination revealed evidence that the butterfly valve in the carburetor was in the closed position, and the throttle stop was positioned approximately 1/8-inch from the stop screw. The throttle arm clamping screw was loose, and the throttle arm rotated easily on the butterfly valve shaft. Mandatory safety wire that was to be applied to the throttle arm clamping screw had not been used, and the safety wire on the throttle arm clamping screw was slack and provided inadequate security. Friends of the pilot reported that approximately one week before the accident, he was having trouble with the fuel mixture; they presumed that the pilot had been making adjustments to the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On October 29, 1996 approximately 1430 Pacific standard time, a home built Collier Q200, N200CQ, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a power line and trees near Estacada, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight had departed from the Valley View Airport, Estacada, shortly before the accident. The aircraft maintenance logbooks indicate that the airplane was completed and signed-off as meeting the requirements for the issuance of a special airworthiness certificate on May 13, 1996. The logbook entries indicate that the pilot was making several adjustments to the airframe and engine up to the time of the accident. Friends of the pilot reported that a week before the accident, the pilot had stated that he was having problems with the fuel mixture, and presumed that the pilot was test flying the airplane and making adjustments to the carburetor. At the accident site, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, reported that it appeared that the pilot was trying to make an emergency landing. Evidence at the accident site indicates that the airplane was traveling in an easterly direction and descending at a steep nose down attitude to a gravel road. The road was bordered on both sides by tall trees. On the right hand side of the road, power lines lower than the tree top level paralleled the road. As the airplane descended to the road, the right canard and the right rear wing came in contact with the power lines. The airplane then collided with the roadway and broke into five major pieces. The wreckage distribution was measured over a distance of approximately 60 feet. The airplane came to rest off the right side of the road among the trees. During the examination of the wreckage, the FAA Inspector found that the butterfly valve in the carburetor was in the closed position, and the throttle stop was positioned approximately 1/8-inch from the stop screw. The throttle arm clamping screw was loose and the throttle arm rotated easily on the butterfly's valve shaft. The bushing was a smooth split sleeve. The throttle arm clamping screw was found with no safety wire applied. The safety wire applied to the throttle arm clamping screw was slack and provided inadequate positive security. FAA Airworthiness Directive 72-06-05 R2 applies to the Marvel Schebler carburetors and compliance is mandatory to prevent looseness or separation of the throttle arm (see attachment). Toxicological analysis performed by the Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reported negative results from the tests. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N200CQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N200CQ-1999-03-02), registration cancelled 1999-03-02, S/N 2775 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Collier Q200 - Registry model: [Collier Gary Q200](https://openairdocs.org/model/collier-gary-q200) (registry code 05601PQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2775 - Airframe hours: 49 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary J. Collier - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 13, 1996, 49 hours before - Departed: 5S9, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,112 total, 49 in this make and model, 1,025 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PDX, 20 nm away ## 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 19961029041659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961029041659A), Oct 29, 1996: Amtr Q200, Estacada, OR, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (.4)During a maintenance test flight of a home built aircraft, the pilot apparently initiated an emergency landing on a gravel road. The road was bordered on… 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.