On March 3, 1983, a Cessna 140 (registration N89050) was involved in an aviation accident near Moses Lake, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during an emergency landing, which resulted in a loss of control due to passenger interference and subsequent structural failure of the control system. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft experienced an unexplained engine failure during flight, leading to a forced landing attempt where the pilot lost control after a passenger interfered with the controls.
What happened
The flight originated from a private farm strip owned by the pilot. During the cruise portion of the flight, the engine sputtered and subsequently stopped without warning. The pilot initiated a power-off landing attempt to land on the available terrain.
As the aircraft approached the ground, the passenger grabbed the controls. According to the pilot's account, he fought to regain control of the aircraft but broke the control wheel in the process. He was unable to recover the aircraft before it impacted the ground. The accident site consisted of flat, dry, and hard terrain that would have been suitable for a landing.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical reason for the engine stoppage. The structural damage included a broken control wheel resulting from the struggle for control during the final moments of flight.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during an emergency landing, which resulted in a loss of control due to passenger interference and subsequent structural failure of the control system. The cause of the initial engine failure could not be determined.