Piper PA-15 N4173H

Summary

On 7 June 1997 at about 13:15 local time, a Piper PA-15 registered N4173H was involved in an accident near Easton, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was 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

7 June 1997 at 13:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Easton, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.6798, -75.2194

Aircraft

Piper PA-15

Registration

N4173H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Slatington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97LA109

1 person had minor injuries.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.