# NTSB CEN13CA262: Engineering & Research 415-C, N94305, Little Falls, MN, April 26, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 25, 2013, 19:00 local (Apr 26, 2013, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Little Falls, MN - Coordinates: 45.949443, -94.346946 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9494&lon=-94.3469&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86838/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86838 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA262 ## Probable cause The failure of the airplane's throttle cable. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing takeoffs and landings when the accident occurred. He said that on one of the landings, when the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine went to idle. The pilot attempted to land the airplane on the runway, but the airplane struck a fence short of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the outer flexible sheath of the throttle cable came loose from the crimped metal sleeve, which was part of the instrument panel fitting. Movement of the cockpit throttle control would not actuate the throttle arm of the carburetor. Records indicated that the airplane was manufactured in 1946 and the throttle cable appeared to be original. No entry indicating replacement of the cable was found in the airplane's maintenance records. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was performing take-offs and landings when the accident occurred. On one of the landings, when the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine went to idle. The pilot attempted to land the airplane on the runway but struck a fence short of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the outer flexible sheath of the throttle cable had come loose from the crimped metal sleeve which was part of the instrument panel fitting. Movement of the cockpit throttle control would not actuate the throttle arm of the carburetor. Records indicated that the airplane was manufactured in 1946 and the throttle cable appeared to be original. No entry indicating replacement of the cable was found in the airplane's maintenance records. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94305](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94305-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N 1528, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH 415-C - Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1528 - Airframe hours: 1300 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 2012 - Departed: LXL, Little Falls, MN - Destination: LXL, Little Falls, MN - Airport: LXL, Little Falls/Morrison County, runway 13, 4,010 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: LXL ## 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 20130425005999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130425005999A), Apr 25, 2013: Engineering & Research 415-C, Little Falls, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on downwind for runway 13 at lxl at approximately 800' AGL. Pilot pulled back throttle to reduce power. Engine went to idle. Pilot then pushed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86838. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF 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.