# NTSB CHI96LA035: Pzl-Mielec M-18A, N2296J, Montrose, MI, November 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 1995, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Montrose, MI - Coordinates: 43.170635, -83.889274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1706&lon=-83.8893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10155/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA035 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power as a result of the separation of the throttle push-pull cable. ## 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,cable - disconnected (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency descent/landing - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED BEING IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 2,000 FT MSL WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. ENGINE POWER HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SET FOR 27 INCHES MANIFOLD PRESSURE, BUT WAS INDICATING 19 INCHES. HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE OVER A HARVESTED CORN FIELD FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHEN HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE, THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN POWER. THE PILOT 'CUT THE FUEL OFF TO THE ENGINE AND BEGAN A LEFT TURN.' WHILE PERFORMING THIS ACTION, THE AIRPLANE 'GAINED ALTITUDE, AND SLOWED.' THE AIRPLANE WAS 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND IN A LEFT BANK WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE THREADED END OF THE THROTTLE PUSH-PULL CABLE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE FORK CONNECTOR AT THE CARBURETOR LEAVING THE THROTTLE OPEN AT APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES MANIFOLD PRESSURE. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 1995, at 1255 eastern standard time (est), a Mielec M-18A, N2296J, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when during cruise flight the airplane's engine lost power. The airplane subsequently impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated near Lapeer, Michigan at 1225 est, and was en route to Nunica, Michigan. In his written statement, the pilot reported being in cruise flight at 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) when the airplane began losing altitude. Engine power had been set for 27 inches of mercury (Hg) manifold pressure, but was indicating 19 inches Hg. "The carburetor air temperature was indicating near zero degrees centigrade." The pilot applied carburetor heat and observed an increase in carburetor air temperature, but no change in manifold pressure. He advanced the throttle and tried to find a "configuration that would maintain altitude with the available power." These efforts proved unsuccessful. The pilot maneuvered the airplane over a harvested cornfield. He was 10 feet above the ground when he retarded the throttle to idle. There was no change in power. There were houses at the end of the field in the pilot's flight path. Concerned that he might not be able to stop the airplane in the field before reaching the houses, the pilot "cut the fuel off to the engine and began a left turn to avoid the houses." To reach the fuel shutoff knob, the pilot had to switch hands on the controls. During this exchange, the airplane "gained altitude and slowed." The airplane was 20 feet above the ground and in a left bank when the engine stopped producing power. The airplane impacted the terrain hard causing the "left landing gear to fail," and bending the "rear center-section spar of the left wing." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage at the site reported finding the airplane with its nose buried in the muddy field. The left gear had separated from the airplane. There was substantial damage to the left wing and propeller. Examination of the engine revealed that the threaded end of the throttle push-pull cable had separated from the fork connector at the carburetor leaving the throttle open at approximately 18 inches Hg manifold pressure. No other mechanical anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2296J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2296J), registered now, S/N 1Z 019-17 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PZL-MIELEC M-18A - Registry model: [WSK PZL Mielec M-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-mielec-m-18a) (registry code 9810103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wsk-Pzl-K PZL ASZ-62IR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wsk-pzl-k-pzl-asz-62ir) (registry code 67203, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1Z 019-17 - Airframe hours: 1489 - Engines: PZL-Kalisz ASZ-621R-M18 970 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hatfield'S Spraying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1995, 215 hours before - Departed: D95, LAPEER, MI - Destination: NUNICA, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 11,265 total, 411 in this make and model, 11,180 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 14 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 19951120037819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951120037819A), Nov 20, 1995: Mnmite M18LA, Montrose, MI, Substantial damage. Lost RPM at cruise. No throttle control. Stalled landing. Throttle cable had separated from fork connector at carb. 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.