Primary finding
Probable cause
The mechanic’s failure to properly secure the throttle arm rendering it loose and inoperable after takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, the engine would not respond to throttle inputs. The engine then went to idle without pilot input, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a marsh. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the nut used to properly secure the throttle control to the fuel servo was loose. The associated cotter pin was not located. The pilot reported that the airplane’s most recent maintenance occurred on April 1, 2021. The mechanic likely did not install the cotter pin at that time. The accident airplane flew about 438 hours between that date and the accident date. During that time, the nut likely loosened until the throttle control was no longer secured, resulting in a total loss of engine power during the accident flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 27, 2021, about 0830 central daylight time, a Cessna 182T airplane, N148LP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Patterson, Louisiana. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after departing, he leveled the airplane at an altitude of 2,000 ft and pulled back the throttle, but the engine did not respond. The engine rpm began to reach maximum speed as the pilot turned the airplane toward the departure airport. The engine then went to idle, and the pilot was unable to restore engine power, so he performed a forced landing to a marsh. During the landing, the airplane nosed over, and the forward fuselage sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the nut used to secure the throttle on the throttle arm was loose. The associated cotter pin, which holds the nut in place, was not located in the engine compartment. The pilot reported that the airplane’s most recent maintenance occurred on April 1, 2021, and that the airplane flew about 438 hours between that date and the accident date.