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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 23, 2021 · Cessna 150 F · N3059X

Arden, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Arden, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 150 F (1966)
Tail Number
N3059X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA21LA297

The student pilot was climbing through 5,100 feet mean sea level when the engine “went to idle.” He attempted to adjust the throttle setting; however, the tachometer continued to indicate 740 rpm. The pilot established best glide speed, declared an emergency, and performed a forced landing into a coal ash pit, during which the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the throttle control cable had separated from the throttle control lever and there was no spring installed. The securing hardware (bolt/washer/cotter pin) was not found. It is likely that the absence of the cotter pin was not noted during the annual inspection 15 hours before the accident, which allowed the bolt holding the throttle cable to the throttle control lever to loosen and depart during flight, resulting in an engine power reduction to idle.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate inspection of the throttle control cable assembly, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 2021, about 1830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N3059X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Arden, North Carolina. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), Asheville, North Carolina, and was climbing through 5,100 feet mean sea level when the engine “went to idle.” The pilot attempted to adjust the throttle setting; however, the tachometer continued to indicate 740 rpm. The pilot established best glide speed, declared an emergency, and turned back toward AVL. When he determined that he could not reach the airport, he performed a forced landing into a coal ash pit; during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s left wing, rudder, and fuselage. The engine throttle cable was separated from the carburetor throttle control lever. The securing hardware (bolt/washer/cotter pin) was not found and there was no evidence of impact damage to the lever or carburetor. Examination of the carburetor after the airplane was recovered revealed that the throttle control lever was in the full forward (or wide-open) position, which matched the position of the cockpit control. The throttle control cable was separated from the intact throttle control lever. Further examination of the throttle control lever revealed that there was no spring installed. Review of maintenance records and the tachometer revealed that the accident occurred 15 hours after the airplane’s most recent annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 EDT
Nearest AirportAsheville Rgnl (2nm N)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150 F
Tail NumberN3059X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data