# NTSB DEN93LA092: Cessna A150M, N8161V, Galveston, TX, July 31, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1993, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Galveston, TX - Location: 29.2658° N, 94.8770° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SCHOLES INTL AT GALVESTON (GLS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2658&lon=-94.8770&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 86-24-07](https://openairdocs.org/ad/86-24-07) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 11099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11099/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA092 ## Probable cause THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AND THE RESULTANT POWER LOSS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - wire,static - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis AS THE AIRPLANE WAS DESCENDING FOR LANDING, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE THROTTLE SHAFT ARM AT THE CARBURETOR. THE CASTELLATED NUT AND COTTER PIN WERE NOT LOCATED. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE CARBURETOR ARM DISCLOSED A WEAR PATTERN OF A WASHER HAVING BEEN PLACED BETWEEN THE ARM AND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE BALL TYPE ROD END. A.D. 86-24-07 ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM AND, ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE'S MAINTENANCE RECORDS, HAD BEEN COMPLIED; HOWEVER, A MAINTENANCE SIGN OFF WAS NOT MADE. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1993, at approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna A150M, N8161V, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and impacted terrain one half mile west of Scholes Field, Gavelston, Texas. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this personal flight. The pilot obtained a full weather briefing at 0858 from the Conroe, Texas, Flight Service Station (FSS), but elected not to file a flight plan. According to his accident report, he performed an airplane preflight inspection and ascertained that both fuel tanks were filled to capacity. The engine developed "normal power" on takeoff and in cruise but after a 40 minute flight, the engine lost power. The pilot advised Galveston Unicom of the situation and reported his position as approximately two to three miles northwest of the airport. The airplane struck power lines one half mile west of the airport, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted. Two witnesses to the accident submitted written statements (see exhibits attached). According to the report submitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane on August 3, 1993, "The throttle linkage was disconnected from the throttle shaft arm (at) the carburetor...The (castellated nut and cotter pin) could not be located. Inspection of the carburetor arm disclosed a wear pattern of a washer having been placed between the arm and throttle linkage ball type rod end. There was no indication that this wear pattern was recently made, and showed no signs of recent 'working' of the two surfaces." Examination of the airplane's maintenance records indicated compliance with Airworthiness Directive (AD) 86-24-07 which called for the replacement of the existing retention nut with a castellated nut and cotter key; however, a maintenance sign off could not be located in either the aircraft or engine log books. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8161V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8161V-2011-07-20), registration cancelled 2011-07-20, S/N A1500548, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A150M - Registry model: [Cessna A150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150m) (registry code 2071831) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A1500548 - Airframe hours: 3969 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ray'S Flying Service - Registered owner: Doug Russell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1993, 82 hours before - Departed: EYQ, HOUSTON, TX - Airport: GLS, Scholes Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,802 total, 54 in this make and model, 1,733 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GLS, 1 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 19930731027299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930731027299A), Jul 31, 1993: Cessna A150M, Galveston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine lost power and idled. Struk powerline returning. Throttle linkage disconnected at carburetor. Nut missing. 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.