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NTSB Report
April 3, 1990 · Pzl 80 · N2246U
Wilmington, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wilmington, NC
Aircraft
Pzl 80
Tail Number
N2246U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA091
DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STIFF. HE RELEASED THE FRICTION, BUT THE THROTTLE LEVER REMAINED STIFF. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE THROTTLE FRICTION KNOB FELL FROM THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. THE PILOTS RECOVERED THE KNOB, BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE KNOB. DURING THE APPROACH TO WILMINGTON, THE PILOTS REDUCED THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOTS COULD NOT ADVANCE THE THROTTLE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED LANDED INTO TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FRICTION KNOB IS ALSO THE AXLE WHICH SUPPORTS THE THROTTLE AND PROPELLER LEVERS. THUS, ITS REMOVAL PREVENTED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLE.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE THROTTLE FRICTION WHICH RESULTED IN THE DISCONNECTION OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY.
Full Narrative
DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STIFF. HE RELEASED THE FRICTION, BUT THE THROTTLE LEVER REMAINED STIFF. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE THROTTLE FRICTION KNOB FELL FROM THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. THE PILOTS RECOVERED THE KNOB, BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE KNOB. DURING THE APPROACH TO WILMINGTON, THE PILOTS REDUCED THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOTS COULD NOT ADVANCE THE THROTTLE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED LANDED INTO TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FRICTION KNOB IS ALSO THE AXLE WHICH SUPPORTS THE THROTTLE AND PROPELLER LEVERS. THUS, ITS REMOVAL PREVENTED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPzl 80
Tail NumberN2246U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPzl-Kalisz · A1-14RA · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 14 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:26