ANC94LA019

After take off the pilot attempted to reduce the power by retarding the throttle. The throttle was stiff and he applied more pressure and then it jerked out and he was only able to maintain 1000 RPM on his engine. Manipulation of the throttle did not change the RPM. He was forced to land on a taxiway and the airplane struck two parked vehicles during the roll out. Examination of the airplane showed that the throttle cable had frozen due to moisture. The pilot stated he preheated the engine compartment to a warm temperature.

On November 20, 1993, at 1115 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N7586Z, registered to and operated by Airlift Alaska, experienced a non-mechanical power loss during takeoff and was forced to land. The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Merrill Field on a visual flight rules flight plan and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The destination was the Denali Strip #2 near Cantwell, Alaska. The airplane was substantially damaged and two vehicles were also damaged. The Airline Transport Certificated Pilot-in-Command and his passenger were not injured.

According to the Pilot in Command, they had reached an altitude of 500 feet above ground level and he tried to reduce power. The throttle would not move so he pulled harder. The throttle then jerked out and the engine power reduced to less than 1000 RPM. The Pilot-in-Command attempted to push the throttle back in but it would not move. They subsequently completed a forced landing on taxiway "delta" on Merrill Field.