Amateur-built CORBEN ACE accident near Cherryville, North Carolina, November 26, 2008
On November 26, 2008 at about 8:00 pm local time, a amateur-built CORBEN ACE, registered N13LL, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Cherryville, North Carolina (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A throttle control malfunction during initial climb, as reported by the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 26, 2008 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Cherryville, North Carolina · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CORBEN ACE D
- Registration
- N13LL · no longer on the register · serial 1170
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during initial climb defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › Power lever › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 611 hours in all; 4 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 30, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 440 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 18, 2008; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Bessemer City NC at 8:00 pm
- Destination: IPJ Lincolnton NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from AKH, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.