N8761Z

On September 18, 1994, at 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P206D, N8761Z, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after take off from an airstrip on Center Island, Washington. The pilot executed a forced landing to a nearby private airstrip on Decatur Island, located six miles northeast of Lopez, Washington. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The flight was departing for Fall City, Washington on a personal flight.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that the engine decreased power to idle just after take off from the airstrip on Center Island. The pilot opted to initiate a forced landing to an airstrip on Decatur Island that is approximately one-quarter of a mile from Center Island. The airplane touched down approximately 100 yards short of the airstrip and nosed over.

During the post accident inspection, the throttle control lever was found to have elongated wear where the throttle control lever attaches to the air throttle assembly. Consequently, the wear resulted in the encompassing brass to wear through. Evidence indicates that the lever was not sufficiently tightened, thus allowing movement of the lever. This throttle control lever is of the old style which did not incorporate a hardened bushing. The new style lever incorporates a hardened bushing, as seen in the attached Figure 12-02. Air Throttle Assembly, item six.