# NTSB FTW93LA219: Aero Commander 100, N4134X, Vidor, TX, July 27, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 1993, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Vidor, TX - Coordinates: 30.119352, -94.000953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1194&lon=-94.0010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18799/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA219 ## Probable cause CONTROL CABLE SEPARATION DUE TO THE THROTTLE POWER LEVER LINKAGE NOT BEING SECURED BY RETAINER RESULTANT FROM IMPROPER INSTALLATION. A FACTOR WAS A 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, cruise - mixture control,cable - separation (cause) - throttle/power lever,linkage - not secured (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, THE AIRPLANE HIT A DITCH AND NOSED OVER COMING TO REST UP RIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE CONTROLS BY FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTORS REVEALED THAT THE MIXTURE CONTROL CABLE HAD SEPARATED AND THE THROTTLE POWER LEVER LINKAGE RETAINER WAS MISSING. AN OVERHAULED CARBURETOR WAS INSTALLED ON MAY 5, 1993. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 1993, at approximately 0830 central daylight time, an Aero Commander 100, N4134X, sustained substantial damage near Vidor, Texas, following a forced landing due to a loss of engine power. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the pipeline patrol flight. During telephone interviews, conducted by the investigator in charge with the pilot and operator, the following information was revealed. The flight departed Lake Charles, Louisiana, and was en route with a final destination of Beaumont, Texas. During cruise flight at approximately 500 feet above the ground, there was a total loss of engine power. A forced landing was made to a wet field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel hit a ditch and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest up right. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed that the throttle mixture control cable was separated at the carburetor, the retainer for the cable was missing, and the control arm was in the shutoff position. According to the maintenance records, which were reviewed by the investigator in charge, an overhauled carburetor was installed on May 5, 1993. On July 13, 1993, the carburetor heat control cable had been adjusted. The airplane was released to the owner's representative following the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4134X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4134X-1995-03-20), registration cancelled 1995-03-20, S/N 233 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 233 - Airframe hours: 3922 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chenault, Bryan E. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1993 - Departed: LCH, LAKE CHARLES, LA - Destination: BMT, BEAUMONT, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 144 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BPT, 10 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 19930727030849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930727030849A), Jul 27, 1993: Amtr AIRCMDR, Vidor, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power. Nosed over in ditch landing. Mixture control cable separated. Throttle linkage retainer 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.