What happened
The pilot in command (PIC) was operating a flight into Butler, Missouri. During the approach phase, the pilot flew a traffic pattern that resulted in touching down beyond the normal landing zone on the runway. Recognizing the situation, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure to abort the landing.
Prior to and during the attempt to climb away from the runway, the pilot perceived a loss of engine power. In response to this perceived failure, the pilot activated the fuel boost pump and advanced the throttle lever in an effort to restore thrust. Despite these actions, the engine faulted and subsequently quit completely. With no available runway remaining for a safe landing, the pilot was forced to execute an off-airport emergency landing.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators examined the aircraft's engine systems to determine the root cause of the power loss. A key finding from the post-accident inspection revealed that the engine idle setting had been adjusted too low. This mechanical configuration issue prevented the engine from maintaining adequate power during the critical go-around phase, contributing directly to the inability to continue flight.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors to the accident sequence:
- The pilot flew a traffic pattern that placed the aircraft landing long on the runway at Butler, Missouri.
- The engine idle setting was determined to be set too low, which compromised engine performance during the go-around attempt.
- The pilot's perception of an engine failure prompted immediate corrective actions, including the activation of the fuel boost pump and throttle advancement.
The combination of the long landing and the improperly set engine idle limit created a situation where sufficient power could not be generated to sustain flight, necessitating the off-airport landing.