What happened
On 30 July 2024, a Cessna T182, registration G-CIMM, was performing an overhead join to Leicester Airport during a private cross-country flight. While the pilot was attempting to reduce airspeed by adjusting the throttle, the engine speed dropped unexpectedly to idle. The pilot found that subsequent throttle movements provided no response and noted that the control felt "stiff and notchy."
After confirming that fuel levels and system settings were correct, the pilot established best glide speed and declared a PAN to Leicester air to ground radio. The pilot selected a nearby field for an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in damage to the propeller and the underside of the front fuselage. There were no injuries to the pilot or the three passengers on board.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's engine and control systems to determine why the engine failed to respond to throttle inputs. The inspection focused on the mechanical connection between the cockpit controls and the engine.
Findings
- The investigation identified a restriction in the throttle cable occurring when the throttle was advanced toward the half-throttle position at the carburettor throttle arm.
- This restriction was caused by a slight stiffness within the throttle mechanism, which led to the sudden loss of engine power.