# NTSB CEN13LA232: Cessna 172G, N3682L, Reading, MI, April 20, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2013, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Reading, MI - Coordinates: 41.84, -84.70417 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8400&lon=-84.7042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - EMI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86690/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86690 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA232 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to the improper securing of the throttle linkage by maintenance personnel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Misc hardware: fasteners](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=2072420), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the engine speed decreased from the selected cruise power setting to 1,900 rpm over a few seconds. The pilot was unable to restore full engine power; therefore, he performed an off-airport landing to a nearby field. The airplane abruptly stopped when it encountered an area of deep mud. A postaccident examination revealed that the throttle control had separated from the carburetor's throttle arm. The corresponding retention hardware was not recovered. The airplane had undergone an annual/100-hour inspection 2 days before the accident flight. The aviation mechanic who performed the inspection and held an inspection authorization certificate reported that, after completing the overhaul of the engine, he could not locate the specified cotter pin used to safety the airframe throttle control to the carburetor throttle arm; therefore, he chose to use safety wire to secure the throttle control assembly instead of the specified cotter pin. Therefore, the throttle control was not properly secured to the carburetor's throttle arm, which allowed them to separate during the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2013, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna model 172G airplane, N3682L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight near Reading, Michigan. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Lenawee County Airport (KADG), Adrian, Michigan, at 1100, and was destined for Joliet Regional Airport (KJOT), Joliet, Illinois.The pilot reported that about 30 minutes into the cross-country flight, at 2,500 feet mean sea level, the engine speed inexplicably decreased from the selected cruise power setting to 1,900 rpm over a few seconds. The pilot was unable to restore full engine power and performed an off-airport landing in a nearby agricultural field. The airplane came to an abrupt stop when it encountered an area of deep mud during the landing. The main wing spar was substantially damaged when the right wingtip impacted terrain during the abrupt stop. Maintenance inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane before it was recovered from the accident site. Visual inspection of the engine compartment revealed that the throttle control had separated from the carburetor's throttle arm. The corresponding retention hardware was not recovered during the investigation. The engine recording tachometer indicated 3,078.96 hours at the accident site. According to maintenance logbook information, the airplane had undergone an annual/100-hour inspection two days before the accident flight at 3,078.40 hours tachometer time. The aviation mechanic that performed the inspection, who also held an inspection authorization certificate, reported that after completing a field overhaul of the engine he could not locate the cotter-pin used to safety the airframe throttle control to the carburetor throttle arm. The mechanic elected to use safety wire to secure the throttle control assembly instead of the specified cotter-pin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3682L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3682L), registered now, S/N 17253851, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253851 - Airframe hours: 3079 - Engines: Continental Motors O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2013, 0 hours before - Departed: KADG, Adrian, MI - Destination: KJOT, Joliet, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 16, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 10,550 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KJYM, 7 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 20130420005369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130420005369A), Apr 20, 2013: Cessna 172G, Reading, MI, Substantial damage. While in cruise flight at 2500' the engine experieince a loss or RPM and resulting loss of altitude. The pilot selected a field to make an off airport landing… ## Other investigations on N3682L (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 MKC68D0247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68D0247), Aug 6, 1967: Cessna 172G (N3682L), Eudora, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86690. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (Richard Anderson) (item 3, .PDF, 213 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Richard%20Anderson)-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (Wesley Shartle) (item 4, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Wesley%20Shartle)-Redacted.PDF - Weather Information (item 5, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-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.