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NTSB Report

May 29, 1998 · Cessna 207 · N9956M

Bethel, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bethel, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 207
Tail Number
N9956M
Operator
Ats
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC98LA059

During climb to cruise while passing 2,000 feet msl, the engine lost total power. The airplane nosed onto its back during the subsequent forced landing in marshy tundra. Postaccident inspection revealed wear between the throttle arm and the connecting hardware bushing. The throttle control lever had disconnected from the throttle arm. Service Bulletin SEB95-15R1, 'Throttle Lever Inspection,' that required a visual inspection for wear between the arm and bushing each 50 hours or 12 months, had been complied with 56 hours, 163 hours, and 268 hours prior to the accident by company mechanics. The newly overhauled engine was installed 334 hours prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The throttle arm disconnecting from the throttle linkage to the engine as a result of inadequate inspection by company maintenance personnel. Factors associated with this accident were the company maintenance personnel not following the repetitive Service Bulletin inspection, and the inadequate design of the throttle arm by the manufacturer.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 1998, at 1557 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 207 airplane, N9956M, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing 10 miles south of Bethel, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was uninjured. The flight was operated by Arctic Transportation Services, Inc., of Anchorage, Alaska, as an on-demand cargo flight from Bethel to Tununak, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported to the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge during a telephone interview on May 30, 1998, that during the initial climb to cruise, passing 2,000 feet msl, the engine power dropped to idle. He indicated that manipulating the engine controls did not result in power above idle. During the subsequent forced landing in marshy tundra, the airplane nosed over onto its back. Postaccident investigation revealed that the throttle control lever, manufactured by Teledyne Continental Motors, and assigned Cessna part number 632555-31, became disconnected from the engine throttle. Metallurgical investigation conducted at the NTSB metallurgical laboratory on July 9, revealed wear between the attaching hardware bushing and the throttle arm. Cessna Aircraft Corporation, Inc., issued Service Bulletin SEB95-15 on June 30, 1995, requiring a repetitive inspection every 50 hours or 12 months, on the Throttle Lever Control part number 632555-31. This procedure is a visual inspection for wear, loose bushings, or worn attachment holes. If wear is found, the throttle arm is to be replaced with part number 632555-65. Aircraft with part number 632555-65 do not require repetitive inspection. The Teledyne Continental Motors IO-520F engine, serial number 286404-R, was overhauled 334 hours prior to the accident, and installed by company mechanics on November 21, 1997. Service Bulletin SB95-15R1 ("Throttle Lever Inspection") was complied with on January 28, 1998, at 11,342 airframe hours; on March 23, 1998, at 11,447 airframe hours; and on May 7, 1998, at 11,554 airframe hours. This last inspection was 56 hours prior to the accident. All of these inspections were performed by company mechanics.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:57 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 207
Tail NumberN9956M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAts
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 13 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:08
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data