# NTSB FTW97LA086: Mahan Starduster II, N45227, Atlanta, TX, January 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 19, 1997, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, TX - Coordinates: 33.110534, -94.159744 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1105&lon=-94.1597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20147 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20147/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA086 ## Probable cause improper maintenance by unknown person(s), which resulted in the failure of the throttle cable and a substantial loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the 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(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,total (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During a forced landing, following a loss of engine power, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid powerlines and vehicles on a highway. The airplane struck a tree before coming to a stop in a pasture. The owner/pilot reported that the airplane, built by private individuals, was released to service in December 1996, and the total time on the day of the accident was 32 hours. The pilot/owner reported that a 'B' clamp 'loosened and allowed the throttle housing to slide freely. This in turn allowed the carb[uretor] to fall back to the idle position.' The throttle cable was examined and removed under the surveillance of the FAA inspector. After the removal, it a cable break was found, where the cable was swaged to the control rod at the cockpit end of the cable. The FAA inspector 'concluded that the power loss was due to failure of the engine throttle control cable.' The reason for the failure of the cable was not determined; however, the individual cable wires 'appear to have been twisted prior to breakage which would indicate improper handling or installation.' ## Factual narrative On January 19, 1997, at 1645 central standard time, an experimental airplane, a Mahan Starduster II, N45227, operated by a private owner, under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted trees and terrain following a loss of engine power near Atlanta, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot/owner received minor injuries, his passenger serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from runway 5 at the Atlanta Municipal Airport at 1630. During interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, and on the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot/owner reported the following information. Approximately 3 miles from the airport, the airplane was climbing through 1,000 feet MSL when the engine power went to idle. The pilot established the airplane at a glide speed of 75 mph and made a turn toward the airport; however, the airplane did not glide to the airport. During the forced landing, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid powerlines and vehicles on the highway. During the landing flare/touchdown to a pasture, the airplane struck a tree before coming to a stop. The owner/pilot reported that the airplane, built by private individuals, was released to service on December 9, 1996, and issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate by the FAA. By January 10, 1997, the pilot/owner completed the initial 25 hours of test flights. Total time on January 19, 1997, was 32 hours. Following the accident, the pilot/owner examined the airplane and reported that he "believed on account of engine vibration the clamp to the left (B clamp) loosened and allowed the throttle housing to slide freely. This in turn allowed the carb[uretor] to fall back to the idle position." The gear, flaps, engine crankshaft, and right wing received structural damage. The throttle cable was examined and removed under the surveillance of the FAA inspector for a closer inspection. After the removal, while holding the cable housing and pulling the cable, it was discovered that a cable break was located where the cable was swaged to the control rod at the cockpit end of the cable. The FAA inspector "concluded that the malfunction which caused the power loss was due to the failure of the engine throttle control cable." The reason for the failure of the cable is unknown; however, the individual cable wires "appear to have been twisted prior to breakage which would indicate improper handling or installation." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45227](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45227-2017-07-18), registration cancelled 2017-07-18, S/N 472 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAHAN STARDUSTER II (STARDUSTER) - Registry model: [Mahan Raymond R STARDUSTER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/mahan-raymond-r-starduster-ii) (registry code 86603BW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 472 - Airframe hours: 32 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rodney L. Garrison - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1996, 32 hours before - Departed: ATA - Airport: ATA, Atlanta Municipal, runway 5, 3,204 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °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 19970119000599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970119000599A), Jan 19, 1997: Amtrso STARDUSTER2, Atlanta, TX, No damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power after takeoff at 1000' MSL. Pilot made a forced landing in a dirt field approximately 2 miles east of airport at Atlanta, Texas… 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.