Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA83LA020

FT. MYERS, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N739WY

CESSNA 172

Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING HIS SOLO X-COUNTRY THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK SEVERAL TIMES ENROUTE. WHILE APPROACHING FT. MYERS HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO ADVANCE IT AGAIN. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING. POST EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT ALL ENGINE CONTROLS WERE FREE TO MOVE & HAD FULL TRAVEL IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRICTION KNOB ON THE THROTTLE WAS SCREWED COMPLETELY OUT, BUT DID NOT HAMPER FULL USE OF THE THROTTLE. THE THROTTLE CONTROL MOUNT NUT WAS SECURED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & WAS NOT LOOSE. HOWEVER, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS HOOKED UP AT THE CARBURETOR AT THE TOP MOUNT HOLE WHICH CAUSED THE THROTTLE CONTROL TO HAVE ONLY ABOUT 1-5/8 IN FULL TRAVEL FROM IDLE TO FULL POWER. THIS COMPARES TO 3 IN OR BETTER ON ANY OTHER C-172 INSTALLATION. THIS WOULD CAUSE RAPID POWER CHANGES WITH ONLY SMALL CHANGES OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports