Summary
On July 31, 1993, a Cessna A150M (N8161V) was involved in an accident near Galveston, TX. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AND THE RESULTANT POWER LOSS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
On July 31, 1993, at approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna A150M, N8161V, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and impacted terrain one half mile west of Scholes Field, Gavelston, Texas. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this personal flight.
The pilot obtained a full weather briefing at 0858 from the Conroe, Texas, Flight Service Station (FSS), but elected not to file a flight plan. According to his accident report, he performed an airplane preflight inspection and ascertained that both fuel tanks were filled to capacity. The engine developed "normal power" on takeoff and in cruise but after a 40 minute flight, the engine lost power.
This accident is documented in NTSB report DEN93LA092. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8161V.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AND THE RESULTANT POWER LOSS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 31, 1993, at approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna A150M, N8161V, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and impacted terrain one half mile west of Scholes Field, Gavelston, Texas. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this personal flight.
The pilot obtained a full weather briefing at 0858 from the Conroe, Texas, Flight Service Station (FSS), but elected not to file a flight plan. According to his accident report, he performed an airplane preflight inspection and ascertained that both fuel tanks were filled to capacity. The engine developed "normal power" on takeoff and in cruise but after a 40 minute flight, the engine lost power. The pilot advised Galveston Unicom of the situation and reported his position as approximately two to three miles northwest of the airport. The airplane struck power lines one half mile west of the airport, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted. Two witnesses to the accident submitted written statements (see exhibits attached).
According to the report submitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane on August 3, 1993, "The throttle linkage was disconnected from the throttle shaft arm (at) the carburetor...The (castellated nut and cotter pin) could not be located. Inspection of the carburetor arm disclosed a wear pattern of a washer having been placed between the arm and throttle linkage ball type rod end. There was no indication that this wear pattern was recently made, and showed no signs of recent 'working' of the two surfaces." Examination of the airplane's maintenance records indicated compliance with Airworthiness Directive (AD) 86-24-07 which called for the replacement of the existing retention nut with a castellated nut and cotter key; however, a maintenance sign off could not be located in either the aircraft or engine log books.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN93LA092