Accident Overview
Following takeoff, the airplane climbed over mountainous terrain. After clearing the terrain, the pilot reduced power and began a descent into an open valley. At approximately 1,800 feet above ground level, the pilot advanced the throttle but did not receive an increase in engine power. Declaring an emergency, the pilot attempted to land on a narrow gravel bar adjacent to a river.
Landing and Post-Accident Condition
The main landing gear skimmed over the water and then contacted the gravel bar's edge. The left main gear sank into the soft gravel at the water's edge, causing the aircraft to come to rest inverted on the gravel bar. The pilot stated that an annual inspection had been performed 11 days prior to the accident, and the airplane had accumulated only 3 flight hours since that inspection.
Throttle Cable Inspection
Following the accident, the pilot inspected the throttle cable assembly and noted that it had become detached from the carburetor throttle arm due to a missing bolt, nut, and cotter pin. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was unable to verify the absence of these components because the pilot had repaired the aircraft and ferried it to another location before an official inspection could be conducted.