14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, November 01, 2011 in Pompano Beach, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/18/2013
Aircraft: CESSNA 172N, registration: N739JN
Injuries: 2 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
According to the pilot, while the airplane was descending on final approach, the throttle control became unresponsive. Although multiple settings were attempted, the engine remained at idle rpm, and the pilot made a forced landing on a road. The airplane collided with a lightpost and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Although initial examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, further examination revealed that the throttle cable had separated from its housing/end fitting. As a result, the throttle cable could not actuate the carburetor control, and the engine remained at idle rpm. A review of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed that the throttle cable was not maintained correctly and was never maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s service manual.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The separation of the throttle cable from its fitting, which resulted in an inability to control engine power. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance by the owner.
On November 1, 2011, at 1735 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739JN, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power while on final approach to Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 1730.
The pilot stated that he was descending on final approach to land, when the throttle control became unresponsive. He made attempts to change the engine power setting, but no change in power occurred. The engine remained at idle speed as the airplane continued to descend. He made a forced landing on a road and the airplane collided with a light post.
Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Inspector revealed that the fuselage collided with a light post and broke away from the cabin section. The left wing outboard section was broken away from the wing assembly at the wing strut. The wreckage was recovered and a cursory examination was conducted on the engine. No engine specific mechanical anomalies were discovered that would have precluded normal engine operation. Further examination revealed that the outer throttle cable housing was separated. When the throttle control was moved, it did not actuate the carburetor throttle control. A review of the maintenance records did not reveal any recent maintenance to the cable and during the last annual inspection no anomalies were noted.
A review of the aircraft and engine logbooks revealed that the throttle cable was not replaced or inspected within the last 2512.9 hours. A review of the Cessna model 172 service manual states, on page 2-42, item J: “Engine controls and linkage-check general condition, freedom of movement through full range. Check for proper travel, security of attachment, and evidence of wear. Check friction locks for proper operation (every 50 hours).” Page 2-48 of the manual, special inspections legends, part E; states, “Lubricate each 50 hours, these controls are not repairable and should be replaced every 1,500 hours or whenever maximum linear movement exceeds .050 inches.”
A Pompano Beach firefighter walks past the crumpled remains of a single-engine plane that made an emergency crash landing just short of Pompano Air Park Tuesday afternoon.
(Mike Stocker, Sun-Sentinel / November 1, 2011)
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Two men walked away without major injuries after making an emergency crash landing in a single-engine airplane just short of Pompano Beach Air Park on Tuesday afternoon.
"Amazing," Pompano Beach Fire Rescue spokeswoman Sandra King said. "No one was injured. No one was on the ground … this was their lucky day."
A 42-year-old student pilot was flying the plane on an approach to Pompano Beach Air Park when the Cessna had engine trouble, King said.
Moments before the crash, the plane lost power, the 27-year-old instructor pilot told authorities. He told the student to "bring it up," but the plane continued to lose altitude, King said.
The instructor pilot took over the plane "and landed it just short of the air park," King said.
The plane, tail number N739JN, was heading east when it clipped a palm tree and slammed into a concrete pole at the intersection of Northeast 10th Street and Fifth Avenue; it broke in half upon landing.
The student pilot suffered a laceration to his hand, King said, and the instructor did not appear to be physically injured. Both were transported to North Broward Medical Center for examination.
"They were walking around the plane when [emergency responders] got there," King said.
The names of the men will not be released because they are hospital patients.
"It is absolutely amazing that the two individuals walked away from such a plane crash," King said.
The tower at Pompano Beach Air Park reported the crash to fire-rescue dispatch at 5:52 p.m.
On Tuesday night, two fire trucks were on scene. Foam, used to dilute the fuel that spilled from the plane, covered the ground.
Residents walked to the crash site and snapped photos of the destroyed plane with cameras and phones.
"It's pretty crazy," Zach Chappie, 21, said. "It's not all that common."
Izabel Silva, who lives near the wreckage, said she often worries that a plane will crash into her home because she lives close to the air park.
"I don't like the idea," she said. "I hope it doesn't happen anymore. The guys, they are lucky."
Federal Aviation Administration officials were scheduled to arrive at the scene Tuesday night. After their inspection is complete, the wreckage will be removed, King said.
A single engine plane made a crash landing near the Pompano Beach Air Park, and one person aboard sustained a minor injury, authorities said.
The Cessna was being piloted by a 42-year-old male student and his 27-year-old male instructor, said Sandra King, Pompano Beach spokeswoman. They had taken off from the air park when something went wrong with the plane and it lost power, King said.
The instructor took over piloting the plane and attempted to land it at the air park, but it went down just short of it at 500 NE 10th Street.
The plane broke in half upon impact and some fuel spilled on the road where it crashed, authorities said.
The student sustained an injury to the hand, she said.
"This is their lucky day," King said.
Both will be transported to North Broward Medical Center.
The plane's registered owner is Aircraft Leasing N739JN LLC based in Plantation. A telephone number for the company couldn't immediately be found.
"I have heard of crashes over here before but I have never seen anything like this," said Jack Doyle, who lives in the area.
A single-engine plane made an emergency crash landing just short of Pompano Air Park Tuesday afternoon. A 42-year-old student pilot was flying the plane on an approach to Pompano Air Park when the Cessna had engine trouble, said Pompano Beach spokeswoman Sandra King. When the trouble occurred, the 27-year-old instructor pilot took over the plane "and landed it just short of the air park," King said.
The plane, which came to rest at the intersection of Northeast 10 Street and Fifth Avenue, broke in half upon landing.
"The plane broke apart, however the two pilots were able to walk away," King said. "They were walking around the plane when [emergency responders] got there."
The student pilot suffered a laceration on his hand, King said, and the instructor was not injured. Their identities were not available Tuesday night.
"It's just amazing when you see the damage to the plane that they were able to walk away," she said.
The two pilots were taken to a local hospital as a precaution, King said.
A single-engine plane made an emergency crash landing just short of Pompano Air Park Tuesday afternoon.
A 42-year-old student pilot was flying the plane on an approach to Pompano Air Park when the Cessna had engine trouble, said Pompano Beach spokeswoman Sandra King. When the trouble occurred, the 27-year-old instructor pilot took over the plane "and landed it just short of the air park," King said.
The plane, which came to rest at the intersections of Northeast 10 Street and Fifth Avenue, broke in half upon landing.
"The plane broke apart, however the two pilots were able to walk away," King said. "They were walking around the plane when [emergency responders] got there."
The student pilot suffered a laceration on his hand, King said, and the instructor was not injured.
"It's just amazing when you see the damage to the plane that they were able to walk away," she said.
The two pilots were taken to a local hospital as a precaution, King said.
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- A single-engine plane crash landed on a street after missing the runway at Pompano Air Park.
A student pilot and an instructor on board the Cessna 172N crashed onto Northeast 10th Street after reporting engine problems, Tuesday.
The plane, which was aiming for Runway 6 at Pompano Air Park, came in from the west, clipped a palm trees and lost part of its wing before hitting a traffic pole, breaking the aircraft in half.
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue crews responded to spread foam on the plane.
There were no serious injuries. The student pilot only suffered a laceration on his or her arm.
Watch Video: http://www.wsvn.com
