NYC93LA146

The pilot was overflying a campsite, looking for specific campers. He reduced power to slow the aircraft. According to the pilot, when he retarded the throttle, the power reduction was inconsistent with the throttle movement. He advanced the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He established glide speed and as he was checking the position of the fuel selector, carburetor heat, and mixture control, the left wing struck a tree. The wing separated and the airplane descended to the ground. The investigation included a operational test of the engine. The engine was satisfactorily operated and limited to 1100 RPM because of engine mount damage.

On Saturday, August 7, 1993, at 1319 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739EP, owned and operated by Oxford Aviation, Inc., of Oxford, Maine, struck a tree while maneuvering over Lake Androscoggin, Leeds, Maine. The airplane received substantial damage. The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.

In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report, the pilot stated:

...Turning to the left approx 180 degree turn. Last noting alt[altimeter] of 1600 feet MSL. Made a slight power reduction to slow A/C[Aircraft]. Throttle movement was not consistent with actual engine power reduction. Applied power slightly realizing no power increase, applied full power, with no response. Established glide, hastily scanned mixture-carbheat, and fuel selector position, looked up only to see a tree or trees immediately before impact.

The pilot and passenger were interviewed by FAA Airworthiness Inspector, Mr. Dayton Mosher, of the Portland Flight Standards District Office. In a written report. Mr. Mosher stated:

...[Mr. Stone, the passenger] was not wearing the installed shoulder harness and suffered a badly broken jaw and a lacerated thumb...He stated that the engine ran fine as far as he could tell and while looking out the window sightseeing he heard an, "[explicative]" followed almost immediately by impact with the trees....

Several witnesses observed the airplane. Following are some of the comments made:

...it appeared a loss of altitude suddenly., Next sight was...where he came thru trees and flipped down into water....; ...the plane banked to the left and the left wing struck a tree and was torn off...there wasn't any change in engine sound before the plane struck the tree, nor did the plane look to be in trouble....; ...the plane was very low in altitude when one of its wings cut the tree and the plane nose dove into the water....; ...I saw it going up and down in altitude and...it then hit one of the trees, lost one of wings and fell nose first into the water....; seen and heard plane, sounded like full throttle, banked sharp left flying very low hitting pine trees and falling into lake....

According to FAA Airworthiness Inspector, Mr. Dayton Mosher, the airplane was recovered from the water and the engine was run on August 19, 1993. In a written report, he stated:

...No parts were changed and no adjustments were disturbed. The wreckage, prop, and engine mount damage limited the engine run to approx 1100 RPM for approx. 45 seconds. Engine ran smoothly and responded to minor throttle inputs....