Amateur-built CORBEN ACE N13LL accident near Cherryville, North Carolina

Probable cause

A throttle control malfunction during initial climb, as reported by the pilot.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane's throttle could not be advanced and became stuck in the idle position. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest on the ground in a vertical attitude. The nose of the airplane and both wings were crushed aft. Postaccident examination of the throttle control revealed that it moved freely throughout its range of motion both before and after the carburetor was heated to operating temperatures using a heat-gun. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was manufactured in 1973. The airplane had been operated for about 445 hours since it was built, and 4 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed about 2 months prior to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA072 for the full record.