MIAMI, FL, USA
N4315X
Piper PA-28R-200
Upon reaching cruising altitude of 8,500 feet the pilot leaned the engine fuel mixture. Several minutes later the fuel mixture began to lean further and the engine lost power. Movement of the mixture control handle had no effect on the engine mixture or engine operation. The flight descended for a forced landing at a near by airport. Upon turning on to final approach the flight did not have sufficient altitude and airspeed to make the runway. The aircraft landed on soft terrain short of the runway and the landing gear collapsed. Post crash examination of the engine showed the mixture control cable hold down bracket had broken near the engine and a clamp holding the cable to the engine mount was missing the rubber insert allowing the clamp to slide freely on the engine mount arm. Manufacturer inspection requirements state the mixture control cable be inspected for security each 100 flight hours.
On September 19, 1997, about 1904 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N4315X, registered to Grady and Francis, Inc., landed short of the runway while making a forced landing following loss of engine power at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Key West, Florida, the same day, about 1840. The pilot stated they were in cruise flight at 8,500 feet near Miami, Florida. He leaned the engine fuel mixture to 11 gallons per hour with the engine mixture control. The engine ran fine for a few minutes and then the fuel mixture began to lean further and the engine lost power. He placed the mixture control in the full rich position, but the mixture setting did not change. He placed all of the engine controls full forward with no response from the engine. With partial engine power he descended for a forced landing at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport. He had insufficient altitude and airspeed to make the runway and landed on soft terrain short of the runway. The landing gear collapsed during rollout and the aircraft skidded to a stop. Postcrash examination of the aircraft was performed by an FAA inspector. The mixture control cable hold down bracket, at the fuel control end of the cable, was found broken. Additionally a clamp attaching the mixture control cable to the engine mount was missing the rubber insert and the clamp moved freely on the engine mount arm. Movement of the mixture control caused the housing to move, but the inner cable would not move the mixture control arm on the fuel control. (See FAA Inspector Statement) The Piper Aircraft PA-28R Inspection Report requires that the security of the mixture control cable be inspected each 100 flight hours. (See attached Inspection Report)
The failure of the pilot to properly plan his descent and approach for a forced landing following partial loss of engine power resulting in the aircraft landing short of the intended landing runway. A factor in the accident was improper inspection of the aircraft by company maintenance personnel resulting in a cracked mixture cable hold down bracket going undetected until failure and a missing clamp rubber insert going undetected.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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