# NTSB FTW93LA152: Elliott B-80, N42845, Amarillo, TX, May 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1993, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 35.310688, -101.690536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3107&lon=-101.6905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA152

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE TAILWIND

## 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, takeoff
  - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A DEPARTURE FROM A LOCAL AIRFIELD THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT. THE PILOT POSITIONED THE AIRCRAFT FOR LANDING WITH A 22 KNOT TAILWIND THAT WAS GUSTING TO 28 KNOTS. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED AT THE THROTTLE ARM. THE FAILED CABLE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO GO TO AN IDLE CONDITION

## Factual narrative

On May 12, 1993, at 1730 central daylight time (CDT) an Elliott B 80, N42845, was destroyed on ground impact, following a forced landing. The airline transport rated pilot, also the owner, was not injured. Weather for the local area flight was visual meteorological conditions.

The pilot reported on the enclosed report and during an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, that during his initial climb on a down wind leg the engine lost power. He further reported that he executed a forced landing and attempted to return to the runway. During the attempt to return to a runway environment the pilot positioned his aircraft for landing with a tailwind of 20 knots, with gusts to 28.

An examination of the aircraft revealed that the throttle cable had disconnected from the throttle arm. Design specifications revealed that the engine would go to an idle situation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42845](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42845-1993-06-15), registration cancelled 1993-06-15, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELLIOTT B-80
- Registry model: [Benningfield Johnnie L RUF-TAIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/benningfield-johnnie-l-ruf-tail) (registry code 130017T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 75
- Engines: SUBARU 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Benningfield, Johnnie L.
- Registered owner: Benningfield, Johnnie L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1993, 25 hours before
- Departed: TDW
- Destination: TDW

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 22 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930512013319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930512013319A), May 12, 1993: Amtr RUFTAIL, Amarillo, TX, Destroyed. Lost power on climbout. Forced to land in gusty tailwind off airport. Throttle became disconnected. Engine idled.

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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