Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a commercial pilot were practicing flight maneuvers that required full and idle power settings. During the sequence, after completing a reduced power maneuver, the commercial pilot attempted to apply power but found the throttle "completely jammed" in the idle position.
The flight instructor, unable to maintain altitude with the throttle stuck, elected to land at a private airstrip. In preparation for landing, the pilot extended the flaps to 40 degrees and maintained an approach speed of approximately 80 mph.
Collision Details
Before reaching the end of the runway, the airplane encountered a high sink rate and collided with trees located about 50 feet from the runway's end.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the throttle bracket was crushed from the impact, and the throttle linkage was kinked. The linkage was still intact at the carburetor. The carburetor was removed to help free the throttle linkage; once removed, the linkage moved freely, and fuel sprayed from the accelerator pump. No fretting or rubbing of the throttle linkage was noted. The throttle quadrant was removed and examined, and no discrepancies were noted.