What happened
On the evening of April 17, 2003, a France Air Ceyx 2200/18 ultralight, identified as 37-CH, was conducting a local flight when the pilot encountered a mechanical failure. The pilot reported that the engine throttle became stuck, preventing the engine speed from dropping below 2,100 RPM.
In an attempt to manage the descent, the pilot performed several 360-degree turns near the final approach for runway 29 at Amboise aerodrome to lose altitude. At an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the pilot intentionally shut down the engine to facilitate the approach. Due to the high sink rate following the engine shutdown and the presence of a crosswind, the aircraft approached the unpaved runway with excessive speed.
The resulting landing was hard. During the landing roll, the pilot's right foot slipped from the nose wheel steering pedal. This caused the nose wheel to pivot uncontrollably to the right, leading the aircraft to veer off course, capsize onto its left side, and come to a stop. The accident resulted in one injury to the pilot and heavy damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the throttle control and the pilot's decision-making during the emergency. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the cable connecting the throttle control to the engine was frayed and had become jammed within its conduit.
Records indicated that this specific cable had not been replaced since the pilot purchased the ultralight six years prior. While the aircraft underwent annual maintenance by a qualified individual—the most recent being in October 2002—the degradation of the cable went undetected. Additionally, investigators noted that certain fairings normally attached to the pedals, which assist in foot positioning, had been temporarily removed for maintenance purposes, contributing to the pilot's foot slipping during the landing roll.