N761KK

On January 18, 1996, at 0730 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210M, N761KK, registered to and operated as a cargo flight by South Aero Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 135, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Las Vegas, New Mexico. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight was filed. The flight originated from Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0655.

The pilot reported that he had reduced the throttle to begin final descent for an IFR approach to the Las Vegas Municipal Airport, Las Vegas, New Mexico. When he pulled back the throttle, "the throttle control came all the way back with the manifold pressure dropping to zero with the engine idling." Attempts to "push the throttle back in to restore power were unsuccessful." As the aircraft exited the clouds, he "noted that there were no roads" in the vicinity and the terrain appeared to be "rough." Therefore, he decided to make a gear up landing. During the landing to rough terrain the airplane came rest 150 feet from the point of touch down.

An examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed the throttle cable had a big "loop" and moving the throttle from the cockpit had no effect at the fuel control. The engine firewall was damaged, the fuselage and tail were buckled, and the left elevator sustained damaged.