On November 8, 1991, a Piper PA-14 (registration N4285H) operated by Bennett, Rex D. was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DURING FINAL APPROACH WHEN HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO TRYING TO OPERATE THE VERNIER THROTTLE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot, unfamiliar with the illegally installed vernier throttle, attempted to reduce a high descent rate before touchdown, resulting in a hard landing, bounce, stall, and collision with two parked airplanes.
Accident Sequence
Just before touchdown, the private pilot attempted to manipulate the vernier type throttle to reduce a high descent rate but was unsuccessful. The airplane then landed hard, bounced back into the air, stalled, and collided with two parked airplanes.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and had accumulated only about 2 hours of flight time in that type. He stated that he was not familiar with the vernier type throttle.
Throttle Installation
The vernier type throttle had been illegally installed in the airplane sometime before the pilot bought it.