Pilot Debrief

Leroy Lakey CORBEN ACE near Cherryville, NC — 2008-11-26

Final reportERA09LA072
Sign in to save
Date
2008-11-26
Location
Cherryville, NC, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
Leroy Lakey CORBEN ACE
Registration
N13LL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A throttle control malfunction during initial climb, as reported by the pilot.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane's throttle could not be advanced and became stuck in the idle position. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest on the ground in a vertical attitude. The nose of the airplane and both wings were crushed aft. Postaccident examination of the throttle control revealed that it moved freely throughout its range of motion both before and after the carburetor was heated to operating temperatures using a heat-gun. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was manufactured in 1973. The airplane had been operated for about 445 hours since it was built, and 4 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 2 months prior to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when throttle control failed to advance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps