MIA97LA039

The pilot stated that after takeoff, he made a normal climb to 700 feet msl (about 500 feet agl) and turned to a crosswind. At 900 feet msl, he noted a decrease in power, and the engine rpm dropped to about 1,000 rpm. He adjusted the mixture and turned the carburetor heat on, but the airplane would not sustain flight. The pilot initiated a forced landing in an open field with soft terrain, and aligned his approach to furrows in the field. However, according to an FAA inspector, who examined the accident site, there were indications that the airplane impacted the ground in a nose down, left-wing low attitude. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the engine revealed that an Adel clamp, which held the throttle cable in place, was not correctly installed. The rubber bushing was reversed with the split to the inside. The clamp had loosened and would not hold the throttle cable housing, preventing throttle control.

On December 15, 1996, about 1515 central standard time, a Wiedemann experimental airplane, N19VX, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine rpm on initial takeoff climb, and crashed during a forced landing in the vicinity of Montgomery, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated about 5 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated that he turned crosswind at 700 feet and experienced a decrease in engine rpm. He adjusted the mixture and turned the carburetor heat on. The airplane would not sustain flight. He made a forced landing to an open field, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the crash site by the FAA revealed no evidence of any wheel tracks on the ground showing any kind of ground roll. The FAA inspector concluded that the pilot attempted to stretch his glide, stalled the airplane, and crashed about 700 to 1,000 feet short of the runway.

Examination of the aircraft engine revealed an Adell clamp holding the throttle cable in place was not installed correctly. The rubber bushing was reversed with the split to the inside, which prevented the throttle housing from moving correctly with a pilot induced throttle application.