Pilot Debrief

MEYERS 200 near Huron, SD — 2016-07-20

Final reportCEN16LA275
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Date
2016-07-20
Location
Huron, SD, USA
Aircraft
MEYERS 200
Registration
N229RS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due an unsecured throttle cable. The reason for the unsecured throttle cable could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

**This report was modified on August 9, 2024. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country personal flight when the pilot noticed oil on the airplane's windscreen. The pilot subsequently landed and had maintenance personnel inspect the airplane. Maintenance personnel noted that the crankshaft seal was leaking and identified several other discrepancies. The pilot chose to have the repairs completed. During the repairs, maintenance personnel noticed that the bolt holding the throttle cable bracket was loose, worn, and not safety wired. The maintenance facility did not have an exact replacement bolt, so the mechanic found a similar bolt, drilled a hole in the bolt head for the safety wire, and installed the bolt. The mechanic reported that he installed the safety wire through the throttle bolt and then down to the mixture control bolt. Photographic stills from the maintenance shop security camera showed the pilot periodically inspected or observed the work as maintenance personnel finished the repairs on the airplane. The pilot also took a photograph of the fuel mixture cable and bolt during the repair process. After the repairs were completed, the pilot conducted a local test flight. No problems were noted, and the pilot and passenger continued their flight. After an en route fuel stop, the airplane departed and reached 2,300 ft, at which point the engine lost power Although the engine remained at idle, it would not respond to the pilot's throttle inputs. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing to a field. Following the forced landing, the pilot re-entered the airplane to ensure that the electrical power and fuel were off and that there was no fire. He then removed the engine cowling and found the throttle linkage "disconnected or broken." A postcrash examination of the airplane, revealed that the bolt holding the throttle cable bracket was missing, which had allowed the throttle cable to "float," meaning that manipulating the throttle control from the cabin would not govern the engine's throttle position. The examination also revealed that the mixture control bolt was in place. However, the throttle cable bolt and associated safety wire were not found; a bolt that was later found in the engine compartment after the airplane was transported to a salvage yard could not be positively identified as the missing bolt. Thus, based on the available information, it could not be determined how the throttle cable became unsecured.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Maintenance personnel should have ensured the throttle cable bolt was properly secured.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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