N60372

On May 24, 2023, about 0900 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172S, N60372, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Casa Grande, Arizona. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he was flying under simulated instrument flight rules using a view limiting device with a safety pilot (pilot-rated passenger) onboard. The safety pilot, who was also a certified flight instructor, stated that after one approach into Casa Grande airport (CGZ) they entered a hold at 5,500 ft mean sea level (msl). According to the safety pilot, they were operating in an area of uncontrolled airspace that was popular for instrument training, and each aircraft used the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) at CGZ to report when they were established in the hold, when they were descending in the hold, and when they left the hold to begin an approach. During the accident flight, the pilot descended to 5,000 ft msl after the other aircraft had announced their movements over the CTAF. After the airplane leveled out, the safety pilot observed a decrease in airspeed and noted that the throttle was in the full open position, but the engine speed was only 1,900 rpm. The pilot then advanced the mixture to the full rich position, engaged the fuel boost pump, and cycled the throttle, but did not observe any changes in engine power. At this time, the safety pilot announced over CTAF that they had experienced an engine anomaly and were heading direct inbound to CGZ to land the airplane. They reached the airport at 3,000 ft msl, at which point they started a circling descent.

The safety pilot reported that the engine speed was still about 1,900 rpm when they turned to the final approach leg of the airport traffic pattern. The pilot also attempted to reduce throttle but was unsuccessful. They deployed flaps to slow the airplane while the safety pilot (who was now the pilot flying) started to assess landing options as they were unable to decelerate. After he decided to land in a field at the end of runway 5, he reduced the mixture to idle/cutoff and the engine stopped running. The airplane touched down normally in the field, but during the landing roll it impacted a fence, and the left wing subsequently impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the throttle linkage had separated from the throttle arm at the fuel servo.

Figure 1: Throttle linkage and throttle arm

The throttle system can be advanced and retarded for power adjustments. Throttle action is achieved through a cable that connects the throttle lever to the throttle arm of the fuel servo mounted at a plenum below the oil sump. The throttle linkage is threaded into the rod end attached to the throttle arm. (See figures 1 and 2).

Figure 2: Throttle linkage installation from maintenance manual

The airplane maintenance manual includes inspection criteria for the throttle control. According to the manual, the engine throttle assembly should be inspected every 50 hours.

“Engine Controls and Linkage – Examine the general condition and freedom of movement through the full range. Complete a check for the proper travel, security of attachment, and for evidence of wear. Complete a check of the friction lock and vernier adjustment for proper operation. Complete a check to make sure the throttle, fuel mixture, and propeller governor arms operate through their full arc of travel. The maximum linear freeplay is 0.050 inch.”

According to the engine logbook, the engine’s most recent major overhaul was completed 8 months before the accident, which was likely the last time the linkage would have been installed. The airplane’s last annual inspection predated the engine installation. A review of the maintenance records showed that the throttle linkage assembly inspection was not inspected in the timeline prescribed by the manufacturer. Further, the mechanic who had performed all of the subsequent maintenance after the engine overhaul and installation reported that he was not aware of the inspection interval for the throttle linkage.

After reconnecting the throttle linkage to the arm, the engine operation was smooth and continuous when tested at run-up power and no mechanical anomalies were noted.