# NTSB SEA98LA103: Casa BU-131, N1XW, Harrisburg, OR, June 17, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1998, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrisburg, OR
- Coordinates: 44.270282, -123.050788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2703&lon=-123.0508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA103

## Probable cause

A failed bracket attaching the throttle linkage, which resulted in the inability to control power, and unsuitable terrain for a successful forced landing.  Factors include soft terrain with high vegetation.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, descent
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he throttled back to descend.  At about 1500 feet, he opened the throttle and got no response; the engine remained at idle.  At 1000 feet, he was committed to land and chose a 40 acre field rather than attempt a landing on the highway.  He was down and rolling when the airplane nosed over in soft terrain and tall rye grass.  FAA inspectors determined that a bracket attaching the throttle linkage broke, causing the pilot to be unable to modulate engine power.  The airplane nosed over, damaging the upper wing and vertical fin.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 1998, approximately 1100 Pacific daylight time, a CASA BU-131 sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Harrisburg, Oregon, after a loss of power while en route from Hillsboro, Oregon, to Cottage Grove, Oregon.  The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured.   Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  There was no report of an ELT activating.

The pilot stated that he throttled back to descend.  At about 1500 feet, he opened the throttle and got no response; the engine remained at idle.  At 1000 feet, he was committed to land and chose a 40 acre field rather than attempt a landing on the highway.  He was down and rolling when the airplane nosed over in soft terrain and tall rye grass.

FAA inspectors determined that a bracket attaching the throttle linkage broke, causing the pilot to be unable to modulate engine power.  The airplane nosed over, damaging the upper wing and vertical fin.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1XW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Casa BU-131
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 628
- Engines: EMSA TIGRE 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert R. Mcausland
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR
- Destination: 61S, COTTAGE GROVE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,823 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CV

## 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 19980617013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980617013989A), Jun 17, 1998: Harrisburg, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power enroute. Nosed over on landing. Throttle linkage broke. (-23) throttle linkage broke. Unable control power. Nosed over landing. Non valid…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.