NTSB Factual Report

On February 27, 2001, at 1745 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200 single-engine airplane, N1488T, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence and two cows during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from the Brenham Municipal Airport, Brenham, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings. The airplane departed runway 16 and was climbing to traffic pattern altitude when the engine lost power. The pilot elected to land the airplane in a field south of the airport. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted two cows and a fence, and the right main landing gear collapsed.

The FAA inspector stated that the right wing spar and landing gear assembly sustained structural damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the throttle linkage was disconnected from the fuel injector body.

NTSB Probable Cause

the in-flight separation of the throttle linkage, which resulted in the loss of engine power.