Incident Overview
During takeoff, the aircraft's engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot subsequently elected to perform an emergency landing in a residential area. During the landing attempt, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft between two homes, after which the aircraft struck a tree. The aircraft then rolled to the left and descended to the ground.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the engine did not reveal any malfunctions. However, inspection of the vernier throttle control identified that the swage intended to secure the conduit had not held the conduit in place. Additionally, the throttle control had been installed in the aircraft approximately 12 hours prior to the accident. The control was not approved for installation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the throttle control's swage failed to maintain the conduit's position, and the control itself lacked FAA approval for installation in the aircraft. These findings were noted in the context of the engine power loss and subsequent emergency landing.