# NTSB ERA12LA058: Cessna 172N, N739JN, Pompano Beach, FL, November 1, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 2011, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Pompano Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.241388, -80.106391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2414&lon=-80.1064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82220/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82220
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA058

## Probable cause

The separation of the throttle cable from its fitting, which resulted in an inability to control engine power. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance by the owner.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while the airplane was descending on final approach, the throttle control became unresponsive. Although multiple settings were attempted, the engine remained at idle rpm, and the pilot made a forced landing on a road. The airplane collided with a lightpost and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Although initial examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, further examination revealed that the throttle cable had separated from its housing/end fitting. As a result, the throttle cable could not actuate the carburetor control, and the engine remained at idle rpm. A review of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed that the throttle cable was not maintained correctly and was never maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s service manual.

## Factual narrative

On November 1, 2011, at 1735 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739JN, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power while on final approach to Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 1730. The pilot stated that he was descending on final approach to land, when the throttle control became unresponsive. He made attempts to change the engine power setting, but no change in power occurred. The engine remained at idle speed as the airplane continued to descend. He made a forced landing on a road and the airplane collided with a light post. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Inspector revealed that the fuselage collided with a light post and broke away from the cabin section. The left wing outboard section was broken away from the wing assembly at the wing strut. The wreckage was recovered and a cursory examination was conducted on the engine. No engine specific mechanical anomalies were discovered that would have precluded normal engine operation. Further examination revealed that the outer throttle cable housing was separated. When the throttle control was moved, it did not actuate the carburetor throttle control. A review of the maintenance records did not reveal any recent maintenance to the cable and during the last annual inspection no anomalies were noted. A review of the aircraft and engine logbooks revealed that the throttle cable was not replaced or inspected within the last 2512.9 hours. A review of the Cessna model 172 service manual states, on page 2-42, item J: “Engine controls and linkage-check general condition, freedom of movement through full range. Check for proper travel, security of attachment, and evidence of wear. Check friction locks for proper operation (every 50 hours).” Page 2-48 of the manual, special inspections legends, part E; states, “Lubricate each 50 hours, these controls are not repairable and should be replaced every 1,500 hours or whenever maximum linear movement exceeds .050 inches.”

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739JN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739JN-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 17270581, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270581
- Airframe hours: 12047
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aircraft Leasing N739jn LLC
- Registered owner: Aircraft Leasing N739jn LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 2011, 372 hours before
- Departed: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Destination: PMP, Pompano Beach, FL
- Airport: PMP, Pompano Beach Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: PMP, 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 20111101026089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111101026089A), Nov 1, 2011: Cessna 172N, Pompano Beach, FL, Destroyed. On final to runway 06 at pmp aircraft pulled back power to get on glide path for runway 06. When the pilot went to add power to maintain glide pilot did not…

## Docket (12 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 17, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82220. 28.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 930 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA inspector-record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20inspector-record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF
- Aircraft logbooks part 1 (item 3, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20logbooks%20part%201-Redacted.PDF
- Aircraft logbooks part 2 (item 4, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366497&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20logbooks%20part%202-Redacted.PDF
- Aircraft logbooks part 3 (item 5, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20logbooks%20part%203-Redacted.PDF
- 172 Service manual excerpts: item J (item 6, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=172%20Service%20manual%20excerpts%3A%20item%20J-Master.PDF
- 172 Service manual excerpts: Part E (item 7, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=172%20Service%20manual%20excerpts%3A%20Part%20E-Master.PDF
- Photo 1-FAA photo-Leftside main wreckage (item 8, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-FAA%20photo-Leftside%20main%20wreckage-Master.PDF
- Photo 2-FAA photo-main wreckage tail section (item 9, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-FAA%20photo-main%20wreckage%20tail%20section-Master.PDF
- Photo 3-FAA photo-Main wreckage (item 10, .PDF, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366138&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-FAA%20photo-Main%20wreckage-Master.PDF
- Photo 4-FAA photo-Cable ball end fitting (item 11, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-FAA%20photo-Cable%20ball%20end%20fitting-Master.PDF
- Photo 5-FAA photo-Throttle cable ball fitting extended (item 12, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205-FAA%20photo-Throttle%20cable%20ball%20fitting%20extended-Master.PDF

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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