# NTSB DFW08CA149: Bellanca 14-13-3A, N1255R, San Marcos, TX, May 2, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2008, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: San Marcos, TX - Coordinates: 29.892221, -97.861389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8922&lon=-97.8614&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 July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, TX - NTSB case key (mKey): 68059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68059/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA149 ## Probable cause The failure of the throttle cable clevis swage. Contributing to the accident was the uneven terrain available for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=3080106), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3080106), [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: [Bellanca 14-19-3, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3080106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was within 5 miles of his destination airport at the termination of a short cross country flight at 2000 feet above ground level. When the pilot reduced throttle to begin his descent the engine went to idle and throttle control was no longer available. The pilot decided to attempt to make his destination airport but landed in an open field short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing main spar. The pilot received no injuries. Upon investigation of the engine it was discovered that the throttle cable clevis swag failed at the cable housing and throttle control was no longer available. ## Factual narrative The pilot was within 5 miles of his destination airport at the termination of a short cross country flight at 2,000 feet above ground level. When the pilot reduced the throttle to begin his descent, the engine went to idle and throttle control was no longer available. The pilot decided to attempt to make his destination airport but landed in an open field short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing main spar. The pilot received no injuries. Upon investigation of the engine, it was discovered that the throttle cable clevis swage failed at the cable housing and throttle control was no longer available. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1255R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1255R-2017-03-09), registration cancelled 2017-03-09, S/N 4319, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 14-13-3A - Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3) (registry code 3080106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4319 - Airframe hours: 2783 - Engines: Continental IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008 - Departed: 3T2, Manvel, TX - Destination: KHYI, San Marcos, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 36 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: KHYI, 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 20080502834189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080502834189A), May 2, 2008: Blanca 14193A, San Marcos, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 2, 2008, at approximately 16:45 hours, a ballanca 14-19-3A, owned by [privacy data omitted] and operated by [privacy data omitted], crashed 3/4… 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.