CEN17LA039

The commercial pilot reported that, about 20 minutes into the cross-country flight, the engine suddenly experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power but was not successful. During the subsequent forced landing to a road, the airplane struck a car, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Examination of the airplane revealed that the hardware that attached the throttle linkage to the engine was not present. Given that the airplane had flown for only a few hours following recent maintenance, it is likely that maintenance personnel did not properly secure the throttle linkage hardware during that maintenance. No other anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operations.

On November 12, 2016, about 1800 central standard time, a Cessna P210N airplane, N44C, was substantially damaged during the forced landing to a road, one mile from the Pleasanton Municipal Airport (PEZ), Pleasanton, Texas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight departed South Texas Regional Airport at Hondo (HDO) Hondo, Texas, about 1740, and was en route to Mustang Beach Airport (RAS) Port Aransas, Texas. According to the pilot, he moved the engine throttle control in 1/8 inch and experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot turned the airplane towards PEZ and went through the emergency checklist during which additional power was lost. In a subsequent conversation, the pilot stated that the engine continued to run without hesitation or roughness; as if it was at idle power. When it was apparent that he was not going to make it to the airport he prepared for a forced landing on the airport road. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a car. There were no ground injuries. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. A post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the hardware that attached the throttle valve lever to the throttle cable rod-end was not present. The hardware was not found at the accident site. The assembly hardware would include a washer, bolt, castellated nut, and cotter pin. No other anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operations. According to copies of maintenance records provided by the pilot, an annual inspection was completed on the engine and airframe on June 9, 2016. On September 26, 2016, an overhauled starter adapter was installed. During this maintenance, it would have been necessary for a mechanic to remove the throttle body and linkages to access the starter adapter. Investigators were not able to speak with the maintenance personnel who performed the maintenance.