Pilot Debrief

Piper PA28 near Salt Lake City, UT — 2019-01-15

Final reportWPR19LA065
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Date
2019-01-15
Location
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Airport
U42
Aircraft
Piper PA28
Registration
N1697J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the throttle lever locking nut and cotter pin.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings when the engine became unresponsive to throttle inputs. He performed a forced landing onto a highway, during which the airplane was substantially damaged. Examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor throttle lever lock nut was finger-tight, and its cotter pin was absent, which likely resulted in the throttle lever intermittently disengaging from the serrated throttle shaft when the pilot manipulated the throttle. A review of the maintenance log books and an interview with the mechanic revealed that the throttle cable had been removed and subsequently reinstalled onto the carburetor as part of the most recent annual inspection, which was completed about 1 month before the accident. It is likely that, at this time, the mechanic did not install or inadequately installed the cotter pin through the locking nut and bolt.

NTSB coding

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