On November 21, 1989, a Cessna 177RG (registration N7628V) operated by Grady Francis, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Mims, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The throttle control assembly was worn and had failed, which allowed the inner cable to exit its housing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a commercial pilot check flight, a simulated engine failure became real when the throttle assembly failed. The aircraft was damaged while landing in a field of saplings after the go-around attempt failed.
Incident Summary
A commercial pilot check flight was underway when the examiner simulated an engine failure for the applicant. The applicant selected a dirt road for a simulated forced landing. At an altitude of approximately 500 feet, after the examiner was satisfied that the applicant could have successfully landed, the applicant was instructed to execute a go-around.
Emergency Landing
When the applicant advanced the throttle, the engine did not respond. While the pilots attempted to correct the issue, the aircraft overflew most of the dirt road. Unable to land on the road, the pilots opted for a field covered with saplings. The aircraft sustained damage during the emergency landing.
Engine Examination
Post-incident examination of the engine revealed that the throttle control assembly was worn and had failed. This failure allowed the inner cable to exit its housing, preventing throttle response.
Probable cause
The throttle control assembly was worn and had failed, which allowed the inner cable to exit its housing.