Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172D near Shepherdsville, KY — 2009-06-27

Final reportERA09LA372
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Date
2009-06-27
Location
Shepherdsville, KY, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172D
Registration
N172TJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The mechanic's improper inspection of the mixture control cable.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was in cruise flight between 1,700 and 2,200 feet mean sea level when the engine rpms decreased. He applied throttle with negative results. The airplane continued to descend and he performed a forced landing to a soybean field. Review of the airplane logbooks revealed that the airplane had flown 2.29 hours since the last annual inspection. Postaccident examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no anomalies; however, the mixture control cable was found to be separated from the mixture control arm. The mixture cable wire tip was not bent 90 degrees to prevent it from being withdrawn if the attaching nut should become loose, as required by the maintenance manual. The cable did not exhibit any signs of damage or stretching, and it was not broken at the attach point to the attaching bolt in the mixture control arm of the carburetor. The mechanic who performed the last annual inspection stated that he did not remember if he did or did not bend the cable 90 degrees.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Ensure mixture control cable was properly secured during last inspection.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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