Accident Overview
On June 1, 2022, at approximately 1527 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, registration N432CP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wings Field Airport (LOM), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and a passenger received minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight and Approach
The pilot had departed Georgetown Regional Airport (GGE), Georgetown, South Carolina, on an instrument flight plan to LOM. The climb and en route cruise phases were uneventful. During the approach, the pilot requested the RNAV6 approach. Clearance was received to proceed to Modena (MXE) VOR at 3,000 feet, followed by clearance for the approach. The pilot initiated a normal approach with the autopilot engaged. Upon reaching the final approach fix, descent was started. The pilot reduced power during the final descent, but when attempting to increase power, the engine did not respond to throttle inputs. The throttle lever felt “loose,” and although the engine continued running, the engine rpm did not increase with forward throttle movement.
Forced Landing
With insufficient power to reach LOM, the pilot decided to perform a controlled off-airport landing. The forced landing was executed on a golf course. After touchdown, the airplane collided with trees at the edge of a grassy area.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. Structural damage was noted to the left wing and forward fuselage, and the empennage was partially detached. The engine examination confirmed valvetrain continuity throughout, and no ignition system abnormalities were found. A broken turbocharger oil supply line was observed, with oil spillage directly under the break; this damage appeared impact-related. No other oil leakage was noted on the upper or lower engine cowlings.
Throttle and Engine Control Inspection
The throttle lever was removed and examined, revealing no defects. After reinstallation, continuity checks of the throttle and mixture controls were performed. However, both cables had sustained impact damage and were broken away from the engine. The throttle lever at the throttle body was found slightly loose on the throttle shaft, allowing slipping with observable “ratcheting.” The lever attaching nut, featuring a single-use integral locking mechanism, was loose and required approximately 1/8-turn tightening to fully engage.
Fuel System Examination
The left wing, which sustained tree impact damage, was damp with a fuel odor. The left wing fuel tank contained about 1 to 2 pints of residual fuel, and approximately 1 pint leaked from the wing root during aircraft recovery. The right fuel tank held about 20 gallons of fuel. Fuel samples from both tanks showed no water or contamination. The fuel selector was positioned to the left tank, and no fuel was found in the fuel lines or fuel distributor; however, residual fuel was present in the line between the fuel manifold and the throttle body.
Flight Control Continuity
Flight control continuity was confirmed for the elevators and rudder. Both outer aileron quadrants were bent forward, separating the spherical bearing from the aileron drive pin on each side, which prevented a continuity check of the aileron system.
Maintenance History
The most recent annual inspection was completed on October 5, 2021, at an airframe total time of 1,293 hours, approximately 37 flight hours before the accident. The engine maintenance log entry for that inspection stated “Inspected and lubricated all engine controls.” No subsequent inspections or maintenance of the engine controls were recorded.