Cessna 310K N101JB accident near El Dorado, Kansas

Probable cause

A fatigue failure of the left engine’s throttle cable, which resulted in the loss of left engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and passenger planned on conducting a proficiency flight in the twin-engine airplane. The pilot reported that, after a normal engine run-up and takeoff, they proceeded to another airport to conduct touch-and-go landings. The pilot landed the airplane, and, during takeoff, the airplane drifted left. He then added right rudder and checked his engine instruments and noted that the left engine was not producing full power; however, the airplane was traveling about 110 to 112 mph, so he chose to continue the takeoff. Shortly after becoming airborne, the pilot realized that the airplane was not accelerating or climbing. He then reduced engine power and conducted a forced landing.

An initial examination of the airplane revealed that the left engine's throttle cable had broken near the engine connection end. Further examination of the individual wire cable strands revealed fracture surfaces consistent with fatigue. The examination also revealed a shallow circumferential swage on the cable's tube/ball-type connection; however, it could not be determined if the shallow swage was due to improper manufacturing or deterioration of the joint over years/hours of use. The accident is consistent with the loss of left engine power due to a fatigue failure of its throttle cable. The throttle cable time/hours in service could not be determined because maintenance records were not available.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA461 for the full record.