19980726017599A

Lost power on approach. Auto gear extended. Landed short. Throttle disconnected from carb. Poor maintenance. (.4) the airplane had been on a cross-country flight, which was terminating at the accident airport. The airplane had undergone an annual inspection 3 weeks prior to the accident with no discrepancies noted. After reaching the accident airport environment, the pilot retarded the throttle and noted the airspeed was 120 knots with a loss of manifold pressure. The engine continued to run, but was not producing power. The landing gear is self-activating, and when the airplane slows below 105 knots indicated and the throttle is less than half full, the landing gear will automatically extend. A safety mechanism is in place, so if the throttle is full forward and the airspeed drops below 105 knots, the gear will not extend. The pilot contacted the tower to inform them of her situation, and that she would be able to make the airport with no further problems. Simultaneously, the airspeed fell below 105 knots and the landing gear extended with the throttle in the full forward position. When the airspeed fell below 80 knots, the pilot knew she was not going to clear the railroad tracksand power line. She made a shallow left turn to fly underneath the power lines and attempted a forced landing on a road. Examination of the airplane revealed that the throttle cable rod end had separated from the throttle body attach point disconnecting the linkage between the throttle and engine. It was noted that the cotter key and jam nut were missing from the assembly and were unable to be located. Further investigation revealed that the throttle cable assembly had been replaced 7 months prior to the accident. It was also noted that the assembly was not from the manufacturer, but is widely used in the industry. The manufacturer reported that they do not authorize any substitutions of their parts. (-23) on a pleasure trip on 26 July 1998, from boise, Idaho to Winnemucca, Nevada at approximately 20 miles from Winnemucca, the pilot noticed a loss of manifold pressure and engine power. Attempts to regain power were ineffective. The pilot set up a glide rate to reach the airport at Winnemucca, but approximately 1/2 mile from the airport, the landing gear automatically lowered, causing a high rate of descent and an off airport landing. The pilo t flew the plane into an open field and came to rest in a sand dune. The pilot received a minor cut to the nose. The passenger did not receive any injuries. The ELT was disabled. There was no post crash fire. An investigation into the maintenance of the aircraft has been initiated. The accident investigation is closed.