History of the Flight
On 7 April 2007, a Cessna 172 aircraft, registered PK-SDP, was conducting a training flight. Two instructors and one student were on board. The flight departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, and operated in the training area at Budiarto Airport, Tangerang. The aircraft performed touch-and-go training at Budiarto Airport. During the return flight to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, the instructor pilot reported to Halim ATC that the aircraft had lost power and the engine was at idle rpm. The instructor pilot attempted to move the throttle lever forward and backward, but there was no response. The instructor pilot then decided to perform a forced landing. The aircraft landed on a football field located southeast of Budiarto Aerodrome. During the ground roll, the aircraft struck a mound. All occupants sustained injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Injuries to Persons
The instructor pilot sustained serious injuries. The student and the other instructor sustained minor injuries. No fatalities occurred.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Other Damage
No other damage was reported.
Personnel Information
The instructors were Indonesian and held valid licenses and ratings for the operation of the aircraft. The student was Japanese and held an Indonesian student pilot license.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172 P, serial number 17275248, registered PK-SDP. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was within weight and center of gravity limits.
Meteorological Information
Meteorological conditions were not relevant to this accident.
Aids to Navigation
Aids to navigation were not relevant to this accident.
Communications
All communications between air traffic services and the crew were normal.
Aerodrome Information
The occurrence did not take place at an aerodrome.
Flight Recorders
The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, and neither was required by current Indonesian regulations.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was located at a football field in a village southeast of Budiarto Aerodrome. The aircraft impacted a mound during the forced landing.
Medical and Pathological Information
No information was provided beyond the injury classification.
Fire
There was no fire.
Survival Aspects
No specific survival aspects were discussed.
Tests and Research
During the investigation of the carburetor, it was found that the rod end, nut, and split pin were not attached to the throttle arm, indicating the engine was uncontrolled. The rod end is the point where the throttle lever connects to the throttle arm, fitted with a locking device (split pin).
Organisational and Management Information
Alfa Flying School conducted an inspection to ensure proper installation of the carburetor rod end, nut, and split pin attachment in the throttle arm for all aircraft.
Analysis
The investigation determined that the loss of the rod end, nut, and split pin attachment in the throttle arm resulted in an uncontrolled throttle, leading to the loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing.
Conclusions
Findings
- The aircraft lost engine power during the return flight.
- The throttle lever was unresponsive.
- The rod end, nut, and split pin were missing from the throttle arm.
- The aircraft made a forced landing on a football field.
- The aircraft struck a mound during the ground roll.
- All occupants were injured.
- The aircraft was substantially damaged.
Causes
The aircraft engine was not responsive due to the loss of the rod end, nut, and split pin attachment in the throttle arm.