# NTSB ATL90LA091: PZL 80, N2246U, Wilmington, NC, April 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1990, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, NC
- Location: 34.2257° N, 77.9447° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wilmington, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2257&lon=-77.9447&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA091

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE THROTTLE FRICTION WHICH RESULTED IN THE DISCONNECTION OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - throttle/power lever,bellcrank - disconnected (cause)
  - throttle/power control friction lock - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STIFF. HE RELEASED THE FRICTION, BUT THE THROTTLE LEVER REMAINED STIFF. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE THROTTLE FRICTION KNOB FELL FROM THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. THE PILOTS RECOVERED THE KNOB, BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE KNOB. DURING THE APPROACH TO WILMINGTON, THE PILOTS REDUCED THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOTS COULD NOT ADVANCE THE THROTTLE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED LANDED INTO TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FRICTION KNOB IS ALSO THE AXLE WHICH SUPPORTS THE THROTTLE AND PROPELLER LEVERS. THUS, ITS REMOVAL PREVENTED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2246U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2246U-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N CF20890878 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL 80
- Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-warzawa-okecie-pzl-104-wilga-80) (registry code 9810280) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE20890878
- Engines: PZL-KALISZ A1-14RA 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Melex USA Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ILM, WILMINGTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 3 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900403007449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900403007449A), Apr 3, 1990: Wsk PZL104, Wilmington, NC, Destroyed. Friction lock came off on approach and jammed throttle. Crashed in trees. Ignored stiff throttle prior takeoff.

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.

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