FTW94LA007

As the pilot was turning onto base leg the tower controller requested he make a 270 degree turn to accommodate landing traffic. When the pilot attempted to add power the throttle would not move. Since the airplane was beyond gliding distance to the airport, the pilot made a forced landing on a road in a residential area. During the landing the aircraft struck trees. An inspection of the throttle mechanism revealed that the control shaft and cable were bent near where they attached to each other. It was also determined that the spring casing was stretched 1.5 inches at the throttle shaft housing and that cable movement was stiff.

On October 6, 1993, approximately 1444 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68108, was destroyed during a forced landing about three miles north of Mathis Field, San Angelo, Texas. The student pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight.

The following is based on the Pilot/Operator report. Prior to takeoff, the pilot noted no difficulty in throttle movement. As he was turning onto base leg for a landing approach, the tower controller requested he make a 270 degree turn to accommodate landing traffic. He complied, but when he attempted to add power, he found the throttle control would not move. Since the airplane was at an altitude approximately 500 feet above the ground and beyond gliding distance to the airport, the pilot was forced to land on a road in a residential area. After landing the pilot maneuvered the airplane between and into two mesquite trees to avoid a telephone pole and guy wires. Damage was sustained by the wings, tail, and cockpit.

The throttle control rod, cable, and sleeve were later examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector at the Cessna Aircraft Company. Examination revealed that the throttle cable and the shaft were bent and that movement was stiff. Results of the examination are enclosed in the report.