Incident Overview
During a landing approach, the pilot observed that the right engine remained at a high power setting when he moved the power levers to reduce power. He executed a missed approach and experienced difficulty keeping the airplane straight and level. Subsequently, he maneuvered for a second approach to land. After touchdown, the pilot could not maintain directional control of the airplane. He attempted a go-around, but the airplane departed the end of the runway and impacted the localizer antenna. The pilot did not advise air traffic control of the problem nor did he declare an emergency.
Pilot's Operating Handbook Procedures
The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) stated that for a power plant control malfunction, the affected engine should be shut down and a single-engine landing should be made. The pilot did not follow this procedure.
Mechanical Findings
Examination revealed that the power control cable was disconnected from its anchoring point. A safety tab was broken off the housing, allowing the housing to unscrew. Approximately one month before the accident, maintenance had been performed on the right engine to correct a discrepancy regarding a stiff power lever. The mechanic re-rigged the right engine power cable during that maintenance.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to perform the emergency procedure for shutdown of the right engine. Factors relating to the accident were the power lever cable becoming disconnected from the fuel control unit due to improper maintenance, and reduced directional control of the airplane when one engine remained at a high power setting.