Piper PA-24-250 N720MB

Summary

On 2 August 1997 at about 20:35 local time, a Piper PA-24-250 registered N720MB was involved in an accident near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 August 1997 at 20:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Fond du Lac County (FLD)

Coordinates

43.7694, -88.4395

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-250

Registration

N720MB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI97LA244

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's improper use of the throttle control friction lock, and his inadequate remedial action. Related factors were his lack of experience in type of aircraft, the pilot's habit interference, and the presence of parked (standing) aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the pilot started taxiing before takeoff, he used heavy throttle application to get the airplane to move up an incline, from where the airplane had been parked, to reach a taxiway. When the airplane reached the top of the incline, the nosewheel bounced, and the pilot lost control. The airplane continued moving and impacted five stationary airplanes before coming to a stop. Subsequent to the accident, the throttle, brakes, magneto switch, and mixture were checked, and all were found to operate normally. The throttle was a vernier type, and the brakes were of the hand brake type. Until operating this airplane, the pilot had been operating airplanes with a friction lock type throttle and toe brakes. He had 16 hours total time in the accident airplane with about 6 hours solo.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.