WEST HELENA, AR, USA
N3090C
Ayres S2R-T34
The airplane was being ferried to West Helena, Arkansas, to accomplish an annual inspection. As it approached the destination airport, the pilot attempted to retard the power to enter the traffic pattern, but the power lever would not respond to any input. The pilot made three approaches in attempts to land, but was unable to slow the airplane below 135 knots. On his fourth approach, he elected to move the condition lever from flight idle to ground idle. However, it inadvertently went past the idle stop, and the engine lost power. The airplane landed short of the runway and impacted trees. An examination of the fuel control system revealed the fuel control linkage was corroded. The pilot reported that the airplane had been washed at the end of each day and that the control linkage had been lubricated on a regular basis. After the accident, he recommended the control linkage be lubricated daily, while working with fertilizer or any other corrosive material.
On December 13, 1995, at 1115 central standard time, an Ayers S2R-T34, N3090C, registered to Morrison Enterprises, and operated by Louisiana Delta Plantation as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near West Helena, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Jonesville, Louisiana, about one hour before the accident. The pilot reported to a FAA inspector that, the airplane was being ferried to West Helena to comply with an annual inspection. As the airplane approached the destination airport, he attempted to retard the power to enter the traffic pattern. The power lever would not respond to any input. The pilot further reported that, he made three attempts to land, but was unable since he was not able to slow the airplane below 135 knots. The pilot also stated that on his fourth attempt to land, he elected to move the condition lever from flight idle to ground idle. However, it inadvertently went past the idle stop and the engine lost power. The airplane landed short of the runway and impacted trees resulting in structural damage to the wings and engine mount. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Report the following information. An examination of the fuel control system revealed the fuel control linkage was corroded. The aircraft is washed at the end of each work day, and the control linkage is lubricated on a regular basis. However, the pilot recommends the control linkage should be lubricated daily after fertilizer or any other corrosive material is used.
Binding of the power lever linkage, due to corrosion, which resulted in a situation that led to an inadvertent shut-down of the engine at a critical point on the approach to land. A factor relating to the accident was: inadequate maintenance.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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