# NTSB ATL90FA040: Cessna 182, N8940T, Cincinnati, OH, December 17, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 17, 1989, 13:12 local (18:12 UTC) - Place: Cincinnati, OH - Coordinates: 39.109592, -84.419563 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1096&lon=-84.4196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 10, 1991 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8108 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8108/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA040 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) FAILURE OF THE CESSNA PILOT TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE HELICOPTER AFTER EXPERIENCING A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, DUE TO BINDING, BENDING, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE/CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE OBSTRUCTIONS WERE A RELATED FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - maneuver - initiated - throttle/power lever,cable - binding(mechanical) (cause) - throttle/power lever,cable - bent (cause) - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,total (cause) - throttle/power control - not possible, pilot in command - Forced landing, maneuvering - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - object - aircraft parked/standing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - maneuver - initiated, pilot of other aircraft - throttle/power control - not possible, pilot of other aircraft - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) WITNESSES NOTED THAT AFTER THE BANNER WAS SNAGGED DURING A PICKUP (WITH A CESSNA 182, N8940T), THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO INCREASE IN POWER & THAT THE PLT IMMEDIATELY RELEASED THE BANNER. THEY NOTED THE CESSNA SEEMED TO MUSH AS THE PLT TRIEDTO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HELICOPTER (ENTROM F-28, N550TA). BOTH ACFT WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE CESSNA, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WOULD NOT OPERATE FROM THE COCKPIT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED A SEPN BETWEEN THE LINKAGE HOUSING & THROTTLE STEM, AS WELL AS A PERMANENT BEND IN THE STEEL INNER CABLE (ABOUT 10' FM THE CONTROL KNOB). NO OTHER ENG PROBLEM WAS FOUND. DURING AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG, IT RAN NORMALLY. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) WITNESSES NOTED THAT AFTER THE BANNER WAS SNAGGED DURING A PICKUP (WITH A CESSNA 182, N8940T), THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO INCREASE IN POWER & THAT THE PLT IMMEDIATELY RELEASED THE BANNER. THEY NOTED THE CESSNA SEEMED TO MUSH AS THE PLT TRIEDTO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HELICOPTER (ENTROM F-28, N550TA). BOTH ACFT WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE CESSNA, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WOULD NOT OPERATE FROM THE COCKPIT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED A SEPN BETWEEN THE LINKAGE HOUSING & THROTTLE STEM, AS WELL AS A PERMANENT BEND IN THE STEEL INNER CABLE (ABOUT 10' FM THE CONTROL KNOB). NO OTHER ENG PROBLEM WAS FOUND. DURING AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG, IT RAN NORMALLY. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N8940T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8940T-2007-12-01), registration cancelled 2007-12-01, S/N 52840, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 182-52840 - Airframe hours: 3733 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Air Traffic Airways - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1989, 47 hours before - Airport: LUK, Lunken Field ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N550TA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 019 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1B 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Air Traffic Airways - Airport: LUK, Lunken Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N8940T; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,737 total, 127 in this make and model, 1,635 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N550TA; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim. ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 10 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LUK ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19891217054402A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891217054402A), Dec 17, 1989: Cessna 182A, Cincinnati, OH, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On banner pick up engine lacked power. Dropped banner put stalled on go around. Hit F28 N550TA. Power cable kinked. - [Accident 19891217054401A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891217054401A), Dec 17, 1989: Enstrm F28A, Cincinnati, OH, Substantial damage. On after landing check was struck by N8940T that had stalled on go around after dropping banner due power problem. ## Other investigations on N8940T (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB UNK65X0322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0322), Oct 18, 1964: Cessna 182 (N8940T), Cincinnati, OH, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.