Accident Summary
On February 17, 2022, about 1448 central standard time, a Pitt S-1T, registration N731FL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) in Spring, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Aircraft and Flight
The pilot reported that after departure from DWH, engine power did not respond to throttle movements. He turned back and entered a left downwind leg for runway 35L. During the base turn, after turning off the engine ignition switch, the pilot executed a forced landing. Due to a higher-than-anticipated headwind, the pilot misjudged the flight profile, and the airplane landed before reaching runway 35L. The airplane impacted instrument landing system structures, causing substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination revealed that the throttle cable was disconnected from the throttle lever arm at the fuel injector/control. A loose washer was found at the bottom of the engine cowling. Proper installation of the throttle lever included a bolt, two washers, a castellated nut, and a cotter pin. The bolt, castellated nut, and cotter pin were not located.
Maintenance History
During the airplane's last annual inspection, the engine fuel nozzles, fuel injector, and flow divider were removed for overhaul and then reinstalled. During this maintenance, the throttle cable would have been disconnected and should have been reconnected upon completion. After the annual inspection, no maintenance actions were recorded or reported that would have required the throttle cable to be disconnected.