What happened
A pilot owned and operated a Piper aircraft that experienced a total loss of engine power while descending for a practice forced landing. Upon realizing that no adequate landing site was available within gliding distance, the pilot performed an emergency landing in the rough terrain of a dry wash. The impact with the uneven ground caused both main landing gear to shear off. The pilot was not injured during the event.
The investigation
The aircraft was recovered and underwent a mechanical examination. Investigators located a broken clamp that had been welded onto a bracket, which itself was secured to the engine case. This specific clamp/bracket assembly served as the support for the throttle cable. It was determined that when the weld failed, movement of the cockpit throttle control no longer had any effect on the engine's RPM. The pilot noted that the weld appeared to be "bad," and it was confirmed that this component was not a part manufactured by Piper.