# NTSB SEA92LA135: Cessna 182K, N2724Q, Rock Springs, WY, June 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1992, 06:42 local (12:42 UTC)
- Place: Rock Springs, WY
- Location: 41.5947° N, 109.2209° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rock Springs, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5947&lon=-109.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA135

## Probable cause

THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE AND COLLAPSE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  IMPROPER MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION BY THE MECHANIC WHOSE ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AND THE ROUH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - throttle/power lever,cable - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE FROM THE ROCK SPRINGS AIRPORT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT INITIATED A COURSE REVERSAL. UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING DURING WHICH THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED ON LANDING ROLL AS THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED ACROSS ROUGH TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN FLIPPED OVER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUT AND BOLT WHICH SECURE THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE TO THE CARBURETOR CONTROL ARM WERE MISSING AND THE TWO COMPONENTS HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT DURING WHICH THE CARBURETOR HAD BEEN REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS 'ATTACHING THE CABLE TO THE ARM, HE WAS CALLED AWAY TO THE TELEPHONE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2724Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2724Q-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 18257924, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182K
- Registry model: [Cessna 182K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182k) (registry code 2072724) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18257924
- Airframe hours: 2370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wolfe, Gerald D.
- Registered owner: Wolfe, Gerald D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Destination: GCK, GARDEN CITY, KS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 835 total, 700 in this make and model, 746 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS, 3 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).

- [Accident 19920626025619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920626025619A), Jun 26, 1992: Cessna 182K, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. Power vent to idle. Nosed over on forced landing. Found throttle cable disconnected from carb control arm.

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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