# NTSB CHI94LA242: Grumman FM-2, Woodburn, IN, July 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1994, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodburn, IN
- Coordinates: 41.119178, -84.850715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1192&lon=-84.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA242

## Probable cause

the total failure of the throttle linkage arm.

## 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 - normal
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

WHILE AT CRUISE FLIGHT THE WORLD WAR TWO VINTAGE FIGHTER'S ENGINE POWER WENT FROM A CRUISE SETTING TO IDLE.  THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A CORN FIELD.  DURING THE ON-SCENE INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, ITS THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM ITS THREADED BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT END.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1994, at 1530 eastern daylight time (edt), a Grumman FM-2, NL1PP, registered to the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and piloted by a commercially certificated pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a corn field following a total loss of engine power.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The flight departed Kalamazoo, Michigan, at 1500 edt.

The pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 said the accident airplane's engine "...manifold pressure [began] decreasing rapidly..." while at a cruise altitude of 2,400 feet above mean sea level.  The pilot said the power decreased to idle and that he selected a corn field for the forced landing.

An on-scene inspection of NL1PP revealed that the throttle linkage had separated away from its threaded ball joint attachment end.  According to the mechanic inspecting the linkage, the engine will go to an idle power setting once the throttle linkage has been compromised.

## Aircraft

- Registration: L1PP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN FM-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 86581
- Airframe hours: 1108
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-56AS 1325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kalamazoo Aviation History
- Registered owner: Kalamazoo Aviation History
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1994, 19 hours before
- Departed: A20, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: DAY, DAYTON, OH
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,400 total, 65 in this make and model, 2,060 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 10 nm away

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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