Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadequate maintenance which resulted in the throttle cable becoming disconnected from the carburetor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane lost engine power after about an hour of flight that included the pilot practicing maneuvers and doing touch and go landings. The pilot did a forced landing into a cornfield where the airplane struck a ditch. The pilot reported that before the power loss occurred, he had first slowed and then tried to accelerate the airplane, but the engine did not respond to throttle application. Examination of the airplane revealed the throttle cable disconnected from the carburetor.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 23, 1994, about 1545 hours eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20B, N778R, a personal flight, lost engine power and was forced landed in a field at Marion, Ohio. Visual meteorologicl conditions existed. The pilot and passenger were not injured The airplane was substantially damaged. The departure point was Marion, Ohio. The local flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 3000 feet msl and practiced some manuevers. He returned to Marion and did touch and go landings. He departed Marion and shortly afterward the power loss occurred after he first slowed and then tried to accelerate the airplane. According to the pilot, "I then experienced throttle failure, moved free in and out with no response. I tried for Marion, could not make airport. (I) looked for a suitable landing, lined up with road, gear down and locked, I secured engine for landing. As I touched (down) the left wing caught a field of corn turning aircraft into a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed the throttle cable had disconnected from the carburetor. -