# NTSB NYC90LA026: Beech A24R, N24569, Bridgeport, CT, November 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1989, 06:40 local (11:40 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, CT
- Location: 41.1874° N, 73.1958° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bridgeport, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1874&lon=-73.1958&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA026

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE ENGINE THROTTLE CABLE FAILED AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO IDLE OVER LONG ISLAND SOUND, RESULTING IN THE DITCHING OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,total (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO BRIDGEPORT, CT, THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING HIS LANDING CHECKS, WHEN HE PLACED THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO FULL RICH AND TWISTED THE VERNIER TO ENSURE IT WAS ALL THE WAY IN. HE HEARD A SNAP AND PULLED THE CONTROL OUT 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH TO SEE IF IT WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL. AT THAT TIME, THE ENGINE POWER DESCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY A FLIGHT IDLE CONDITION. THE THROTTLE AND PROP CONTROL APPEARED TO WORK NORMALLY. BRIDGEPORT TOWER WAS INFORMED THE PLT WAS GOING TO DITCH THE AIRPLANE. DURING THE DITCHING, THE SHOULDER HARNESS PREVENTED INJURY. THE PILOT USED HIS BRIEFCASE AND TURNED HIS LUNCH COOLER UPSIDE DOWN FOR FLOATATION IN THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24569](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24569-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N MC121 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A24R
- Registry model: [Beech A24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a24r) (registry code 1151252) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-121
- Airframe hours: 2550
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John R. Casey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1989, 12 hours before
- Departed: HWV, SHIRLEY, NY
- Destination: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT

## 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: 400 total, 325 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 310° at 25 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891112044859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891112044859A), Nov 12, 1989: Beech A24R, Bridgeport, CT, Destroyed. Pilot reported mixture control broken,caused engine out. Ditched in ocean short of runway. Aircraft not recovered.

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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