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CEN11CA030

2010-10-13 · Fredericksburg, Texas, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport T82

N86TJ has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 II, built 2007), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The malfunction of the throttle clamp, which resulted in the pilot's inability to control the engine's power setting.

Factual narrative

While flying the downwind leg for a full-stop landing, the pilot reduced engine power to slow the airplane for landing. When the pilot advanced the throttle, the engine did not respond. The pilot turned the airplane immediately for the runway. Due to the "tighter" pattern and increased airspeed, the airplane floated during the landing. When the airplane touched down on the runway, there was insufficient distance remaining for the airplane to stop on the runway. The airplane departed the end of the runway and the pilot ground looped the airplane to stay on the airport property. Substantial damage was sustained to both wings. An examination of the engine revealed that the clamp securing the throttle controller end was allowing the cable to slip freely. According to the pilot, he reduced engine power to slow the airplane for landing while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. He then attempted to increase power and the engine did not respond. The pilot maneuvered the airplane immediately toward the runway and it floated during the landing. When the airplane touched down, there was insufficient distance remaining to stop on the runway. The airplane departed the end of the runway and the pilot intentionally ground-looped the airplane to stay on the airport property, causing substantial damage to both wings. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the clamp securing the throttle controller end was allowing the cable to slip freely. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine controls-Power lever-Malfunction - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_CEN11CA030.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.