LAX01LA140

The airplane's nose gear dug into a pasture and bent the firewall during a forced landing as a result of a loss of engine power during descent. Traffic on a nearby highway precluded landing thereon. A postaccident inspection by the pilot revealed that the throttle linkage disconnected, allowing the engine to go to idle power. This was confirmed by an FAA inspector.

On April 6, 2001, at 1020 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 210B, N126RA, sustained substantial damage when it lost power and landed in a pasture near Camp Verde, Arizona. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by an airline transport pilot who, along with his one passenger, was not injured. Visual metrological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated from Camarillo, California, at 0800 Pacific daylight time, and was en route to Payson, Arizona.

The pilot stated that he reduced power to descend from 11,500 feet to land at Payson. When he reached approximately 7,000 feet he tried to increase power but the engine did not respond. He stated the engine continued to run at a reduced power as he pushed the mixture fully rich, turned the fuel boost pump to high, and switched fuel tanks. He originally intended to land on a highway but could not find a clear area due to traffic on the road. He elected to land in a field near the highway. Upon touchdown, the nose gear dug in. The airplane slid to a stop, sustaining damage to the propeller, nose gear, firewall, left wing, and main gear.

A postaccident inspection by the pilot revealed that the throttle linkage disconnected, allowing the engine to go to idle power. This was confirmed by an Federal Aviation Administration inspector.