Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI00LA258

HOLLAND, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N6099E

Beech K35

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while in flight, he found that the throttle control would only operate between 3/4 throttle and full throttle. The pilot elected to land the aircraft. When he believed that he was at a point where a safe landing could be made on the runway, the pilot shut off the engine and attempted to glide the aircraft to landing. The aircraft came to rest about 100 yards short of the runway. A postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the bolt that attaches the clamp for the throttle cable housing in the engine compartment was loose. The position of the throttle cable housing limited the movement of the throttle and the housing could be moved within the clamp. The aircraft engine had been overhauled and reinstalled in the aircraft at the last annual inspection completed on April 15, 2000.

Factual Information

On August 15, 2000, at 2315 eastern daylight time, a Beech K35, N6099E, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing on runway 26 (5,000 feet by 100 feet dry asphalt) at the Tulip City Airport (BIV), Holland, Michigan. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The local flight departed BIV at 2245. The pilot reported that, while in flight, he found that the throttle control would only operate between 3/4 throttle and full throttle. The pilot elected to land the aircraft. When he believed that he was at a point where a safe landing could be made on the runway, the pilot shut off the engine and attempted to glide the aircraft to landing. The aircraft came to rest about 100 yards short of the runway. At a postaccident examination of the aircraft, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector found that the bolt that attaches the clamp for the throttle cable housing in the engine compartment was loose. The inspector found that the position of the throttle cable housing limited the movement of the throttle and that the housing could be moved within the clamp. The inspector also determined that the aircraft engine had been overhauled and reinstalled in the aircraft at the last annual inspection. A logbook entry indicated that the annual inspection was completed on April 15, 2000.

Probable Cause and Findings

the misjudged glidepath by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the loose throttle cable due to improper installation by maintenance personnel, and the intentional engine shutdown during the precautionary landing by the pilot.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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