ROCK SPRINGS, WY, USA
N2724Q
CESSNA 182K
SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE FROM THE ROCK SPRINGS AIRPORT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT INITIATED A COURSE REVERSAL. UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING DURING WHICH THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED ON LANDING ROLL AS THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED ACROSS ROUGH TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN FLIPPED OVER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUT AND BOLT WHICH SECURE THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE TO THE CARBURETOR CONTROL ARM WERE MISSING AND THE TWO COMPONENTS HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT DURING WHICH THE CARBURETOR HAD BEEN REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS 'ATTACHING THE CABLE TO THE ARM, HE WAS CALLED AWAY TO THE TELEPHONE.'
THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE AND COLLAPSE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION BY THE MECHANIC WHOSE ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AND THE ROUH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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