Socata TBM 700B accident near Mobile, AL

On April 25, 2003, a Socata TBM 700B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Mobile, AL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

April 25, 2003

Place

Mobile, AL

Aircraft

Socata TBM 700B · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

30.635°N, 88.066°W

NTSB ID

20030429X00591

Official records · ATL03FA082

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• ATC Voice Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Radar Data Communications: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 24, 2003 at 2012 central daylight time, a Socata TBM 700B, N705QD, registered to Fleet National Bank and operated by Quest Diagnostics, collided with a utility pole and the ground, and burst into flames one-half mile short of runway 18, at the Mobile Downtown Airport in Mobile, Alabama. The flight was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed. The Airline Transport Pilot received fatal injuries, the airplane sustained substantial damage and there was a post-crash fire. The flight originated from Lawrenceville, Georgia, at 1845 on April 24, 2003. A review of communications between Mobile Downtown Control Tower, Ground Control and N705QD, Lab Quest Eight Five Zero revealed that while on approach to Mobile Downtown Airport, Lab Quest contacted the Controller and informed him that he was having a problem. Ground Control informed the pilot that he was in sight and was cleared to land on runway 18, and could he be of assistance. The pilot responded that he had a "run away engine" or properly stated as a power lever control loss. Ground Control asked the pilot, if he could help. The pilot replied "no sir" that he had to shut down the engine and come in on runway 14. Ground Control informed the pilot that the first 2,600 feet of runway 14 was closed but that he was cleared to land on runway 14 or runway 18 his choice, and that the winds were at 150 degrees, at 13. The Controller then informed the pilot, that he was headed straight

Probable cause

The improper installation of the power control linkage on the engine fuel control unit by maintenance personnel which resulted in a loss of power lever control, and the pilot's failure to follow emergency procedures and his intentional engine shutdown which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent inflight collision with a light pole.

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Browse: Alabama · Socata aircraft

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.