FLOWERY BRANCH, GA, USA
N3882L
CESSNA 172
WHILE CRUISING AT 2300 FEET, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A DROP IN ENGINE RPM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ENGINE RPM DROPPED FROM 2500 TO 1500; ATTEMPTS BY THE PILOT TO RESTORE FULL POWER FAILED. THE PILOT SELECTED A NEARBY FIELD FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE USED THE MAGNETO SWITCH TO CONTROL THE 1500 RPM AVAILABLE FOR THE APPROACH AND FORCED LANDING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AT THE CARBURETOR WAS DISCONNECTED. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE CARBURETOR WAS OVERHAULED AND INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE TWO FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT. THE THROTTLE LINKAGE IS NORMALLY SECURED TO THE CARBURETOR WITH A BOLT, A NUT,AND A SAFETY COTTER PIN; THESE ITEMS WERE NOT RECOVERED FOR EXAMINATION.
On June 7, 1994, at 1510 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N3882L, collided with the ground and nosed over after the pilot experienced throttle control problems near Flowery Branch, Georgia. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Cumming, Georgia, at 1445 hours. According to the pilot, he and the passenger were sightseeing in the local flying area when the throttle failed to respond to inputs from the pilot. He further stated that engine rpm dropped to 1500 and he used the magneto switch to control engine power for the emergency landing. An examination of the engine assembly revealed that the throttle control linkage was completely disconnected from the carburetor. According to the pilot, the carburetor had been overhauled and installed on the engine two hours before this flight.
THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY THAT RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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