# NTSB ATL99LA130: Cessna 182P, N6863M, Summerville, GA, September 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 1999, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Summerville, GA - Coordinates: 34.699066, -85.279541 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6991&lon=-85.2795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47380/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA130 ## Probable cause The missing throttle linkage bolt from the carburetor due to an improper engine installation by maintenance personnel. Factors were the tailwind present during the landing roll and the trees. ## 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, cruise - throttle/power lever,linkage - missing (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis After departing the airport and leveling off at 2,500 ft. msl, the pilot began to make throttle adjustments. The throttle appeared to get loose and throttle movement brought no change in engine rpm. The engine then began to lose rpm. He located a 2,400 ft. grass strip on which to perform a precautionary landing and glided to the field. The airplane touched down at the mid-field point. The airplane departed the end of the grass field and impact several small pine trees. An examination of the airplane's engine revealed that the throttle linkage had separated from the throttle arm and there was a missing linkage bolt at the carburetor. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that a new engine was installed 1.2 hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 1999, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N6863M, collided with trees during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power in Summerville, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Barwick LaFayette Airport in LaFayette, Georgia, about 1645. According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and departed runway 2 at LaFayette. He departed to the west and climbed to 2,500 feet above mean sea level (msl), then began to make throttle adjustments. He stated that the throttle "seemed to get real loose and the throttle movement brought no change" in engine rpm. The engine then began to lose rpm. He located a 2,400 foot grass strip on which to perform a precautionary landing and glided to the field. The airplane touched down at the mid-field point. The airplane departed the end of the grass field into a gathering of small pine trees, sustaining damage to the leading edges of both wings, the wing spar, and the nose and left main landing gear. Following the accident, an examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the throttle linkage had separated from the throttle arm and there was a missing linkage bolt at the carburetor. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that a new engine was installed 1.2 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6863M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6863M), registered now, S/N 18263867, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18263867 - Airframe hours: 2510 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert M. Franks - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1999, 1 hours before - Departed: 9A5, LAFAYETTE, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 33 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 140 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 19990914043909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990914043909A), Sep 14, 1999: Cessna 182P, Summerville, GA, No damage. (-23) Witnesses stated: on landing a crosswind caught the aircraft as it touched down and pilot lost control. ## Other investigations on N6863M (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 LAX79DUJ98](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUJ98), Jul 12, 1979: Cessna 182 (N6863M), Suprise, AZ, 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.