N6300B

On December 12, 2000, at 1330 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182A, N6300B, registered to and operated by Tampa Bay Soaring Society Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground following a partial loss of engine power near Plant City, Florida. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Zephyrhills Municipal Airport in Zephyrhills, Florida, at 1305.

According to the pilot, he was flying the airplane to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, for the purpose of having the engine fuel primer line repaired. When the pilot leveled off at the enroute cruise altitude, he leaned the fuel air mixture until the engine rpm decreased. When the flight was approximately 8 miles from the destination airport, the pilot established radio contact with the control tower and requested landing instructions. The pilot was instructed to enter a right downwind for runway 27.

After the pilot had received landing instructions, he reported a loss of engine power. Following attempts by the pilot to restore engine power, he selected a nearby pasture for an emergency landing. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a rough and uneven field five miles northwest of Lakeland Airport. During the emergency-landing roll, the airplane struck a cow.

Examination of the engine disclosed that the mixture cable was not secured at the carburetor connection, and the carburetor mixture lever was in the lean position. According to the airplane maintenance logs, the last annual inspection was completed on February 1, 2000 or 162 flight hours before the accident. No other mechanical problems were found with the engine or the airframe.