Incident Overview
A recurrent training flight encountered an unexpected situation when the instructor commanded a go-around because another airplane was on the intended runway. The pilot reported applying power, retracting the landing gear and flaps. However, the airplane did not accelerate, and the tachometer indicated 1,400 RPM.
Actions During the Event
Faced with low altitude, the pilot turned the airplane toward a runway that was under construction. The airplane subsequently collided with a dirt bank adjacent to that runway. The collision caused the right outboard section of the wing to separate.
Post-Accident Investigation
An on-scene investigation of the airplane revealed that the throttle linkage fork was not attached to the throttle arm of the fuel control. The bolt, nut, and cotter key that should have secured the connection were not found during the investigation.
Maintenance Context
This accident flight was the airplane's first flight since coming out of long-term maintenance. The disconnection of the throttle linkage appears to have prevented the engine from producing sufficient power for the go-around.