# NTSB MIA07CA033: Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR, N56434, Lake Butler, FL, January 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 6, 2007, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Butler, FL - Coordinates: 30.018888, -82.577224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0189&lon=-82.5772&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 65151 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65151/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA033 ## Probable cause a partial loss of engine power due to a disconnected throttle control push-rod, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with trees and the ground. ## 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, cruise - throttle/power lever,push/pull rod - disconnected (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that the engine quit without warning and he had to make an emergency landing. He checked the fuel valve, the carburetor heat, and pumped the throttle but nothing seemed to help. During the landing, he was not sure if he clipped a tree during the approach and was slow to flare out, which they hit the ground hard causing him and the passenger to hit the instrument panel during the stop. The pilot recalled that the propeller was still turning during the impact. The pilot did not have any ideas why it quit. The pilot had been giving several rides prior to the accident flight with no problems. The inspection of the wreckage revealed that a short rod that connects the throttle control to the carburetor was lying disconnected inside the cowling. There were no marks on the rod, the bolt or the bracket that would indicate it was broken during impact. Once this rod is loosened, it would allow the engine to go to idle power. ## Factual narrative On January 6, 2007, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR, N56434, registered to and operated by an individual, impacted with a tree during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lake Butler, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot and passenger received minor injuries; the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from the Flying Tiger Field Airport, Worthington, Florida, earlier that day, about 1150. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that the engine quit without warning and he had to make an emergency landing. He checked the fuel valve, the carburetor heat, and pumped the throttle but nothing seemed to help. During the landing, he was not sure if he clipped a tree during the approach and was slow to flare out, which they hit the ground hard causing him and the passenger to hit the instrument panel during the stop. The pilot recalls that the propeller was still turning during the impact. The pilot did not have any ideas why it quit. The pilot had been giving several rides prior to the accident flight with no problems. The FAA inspector that conducted the post accident examination of the airplane wreckage stated, during the examination, a short rod that connects the throttle control to the carburetor was discovered lying unattached inside the cowling. It appears that this rod had come loose prior to impact. There were no marks on the rod, the bolt or the bracket that would indicate it was broken during impact. Once this rod is loosen, it would allow the engine to go to idle power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56434](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56434-2007-07-18), registration cancelled 2007-07-18, S/N 1560, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR - Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1560 - Engines: Kinner R-56 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John B. Gordon - Registered owner: John B. Gordon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FL54, Worthington, FL - Destination: KLCQ, Lake City, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 18,616 total, 33 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: GNV ## 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 20070106000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070106000919A), Jan 6, 2007: Ryan ST3KR, Lake Butler, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] stated the aircraft lost power and made an emergency landing in a small field near Lake Butler, Florida. The aircraft… 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.