Cessna R182 N262AL accident near Milton, Florida

Probable cause

Separation of the throttle cable sleeve during takeoff, which resulted an uncommanded engine power reduction and the pilot’s inability to control the engine throttle, and resulted in a forced landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was returning to his home-base airport after some minor maintenance to the airplane’s emergency locator transmitter. The preflight checks and run-up were normal and he performed a short-field takeoff from a 2,895-ft-long turf runway. As the airplane lifted off and began to climb, engine power decreased. The pilot ensured that the throttle and mixture controls were full forward, but the engine only retained partial power and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane hard on level terrain off the airport property, collapsing the landing gear and resulting in substantial damage to the airframe and right wing.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the throttle cable sleeve had separated from a connection where it was crimped to secure it. Forward movement of the throttle would result in the cable forming a “U” shape and remaining slack. With the throttle in this position, the engine was likely unable to produce sufficient power to continue the climb. The examination identified no other evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

Although the engine had been overhauled and reinstalled about a year before the accident, review of maintenance records showed no documentation that a new throttle cable assembly was installed, nor was it required to be. The preexisting engine throttle cable was reattached after the overhaul, inspected, and exercised with no anomalies observed. Additionally, no maintenance to the throttle controls had been documented in the logs between the time of the engine overhaul and the accident. Given the available information, it is likely that the single crimp holding the throttle sleeve in place became loose and detached, which resulted in the throttle moving to a low power position and did not allow the pilot to control the throttle after it separated.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA235 for the full record.