Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA32RT near Coral Springs, FL — 2017-04-30

Final reportERA17LA169
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Date
2017-04-30
Location
Coral Springs, FL, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA32RT
Registration
N31678
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The in-flight disconnection of the fuel injection servo throttle linkage, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

While the airplane was in cruise flight, the airline transport pilot noticed a drop in manifold pressure; he advanced the throttle to regain power. After several unsuccessful attempts to regain full power, he made a forced landing and the airplane collided with a ditch, which resulted in damage to the right wing spar. Postaccident examination of the throttle body fuel injection servo revealed the throttle cable linkage was loose at the attachment point of the throttle body fuel injection servo. Further examination revealed the throttle cable linkage had slipped because the gear teeth did not make full contact locking together. Some of the gear teeth on the throttle linkage and on the throttle body servo were worn with flat spots. It is likely that this condition ultimately resulted in the pilot's inability to control the power setting of the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspect throttle body fuel injection servo during annual inspections.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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