# NTSB MIA89IA118: Cessna P206B, N4740F, West Palm Beach, FL, March 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1989, 10:23 local (15:23 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.780403, -80.059852 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7804&lon=-80.0599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89IA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89IA118

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL ARM RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - fuel injection control,linkage - worn (cause)
  - fuel injection control,linkage - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - poor, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING TO CRUISE, THE PLT PULLED THE THROTTLE TO REDUCE POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE. HE THEN ADVISED ATC & REQUESTED LANDING ON THE LONGEST RWY. ATC VECTORED THE ACFT TO THE WEST & WHEN IT WAS 3 MILES FROM THE RWY, THE ENG RPM DROPPED TO IDLE. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT IN A FIELD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE THROTTLE CONTROL ARM AT THE FUEL CONTROLLER FAILED. VIBRATION THEN CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO VIBRATE TO IDLE. REPORTEDLY, IT WAS WORN & HAD FAILED DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4740F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4740F), registered now, S/N P206-0340, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P206B
- Registry model: [Cessna P206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206b) (registry code 2073309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P206-0340
- Airframe hours: 4104
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Williams, Lindy C.
- Registered owner: Williams, Lindy C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1988, 270 hours before
- Destination: MYNN, NASSAU, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 725 total, 406 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 4 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).

- [Incident 19890329020339I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890329020339I), Mar 29, 1989: Cessna P206B, West Palm Beach, FL. No response from throttle after takeoff. Engine went to idle. Landed in field. Throttle control arm was worn.

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.

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