What happened
While operating in the vicinity of King City, California, the aircraft experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot initiated an attempt to restart the engine, but this effort proved unsuccessful. With no power available, the pilot executed an emergency landing in a nearby field. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with a tree.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators examined the aircraft's engine and control systems to determine the cause of the power loss. The examination revealed that the mixture control cable clamp had slipped from its secured position. This mechanical failure allowed the mixture control lever to move freely to the idle cutoff position.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor in this accident was the slippage of the mixture control cable clamp. This component failure caused the engine's fuel-air mixture to be set to idle cutoff, resulting in a total loss of power. The subsequent collision with a tree occurred during the emergency landing phase.
Safety message
Regular inspection and securement of engine control cables and clamps are critical for preventing unintended movement of flight controls. Pilots should ensure that all maintenance checks verify the security of mixture control mechanisms to avoid similar in-flight failures.