Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18-150 near Paxson, AK — 2013-08-13

Final reportANC13LA079
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Date
2013-08-13
Location
Paxson, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18-150
Registration
N44RT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to a loose throttle cable clamp.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that she was on a cross-country flight in a float-equipped airplane, and that, about 20 minutes into the flight, the engine rpm suddenly dropped to idle. She moved the throttle forward, and the engine momentarily responded, but it again dropped to idle power. She switched fuel tanks, but the engine still did not respond, so she initiated a forced landing to brush-covered tundra. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over, which caused substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Examination of the engine revealed that the clamp that secures the throttle cable was loose, which allowed the throttle cable housing to move inside the clamp. The engine was started without tightening the throttle cable clamp, and it operated normally through various power settings. Given the loose throttle cable clamp and the pilot's account of the accident sequence, it is likely that the throttle cable housing was free to move when the throttle lever moved, which limited the amount of throttle authority available to the pilot.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked throttle cable security before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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