Piper PA-32R-300 N4316X

Summary

On 19 August 1994 at about 19:15 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N4316X, operated by Kulwicki, Joseph F., was involved in an accident near Roanoke, Virginia, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 1994 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Roanoke, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-300

Registration

N4316X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Kulwicki, Joseph F.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Meadville

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO94FA140

2 people died.

THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE FROM THE THROTTLE ARM ON THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING A TURN TO THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND FELL TO THE GROUND. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FULL FORWARD (MAXIMUM FUEL FLOW) BUT DISCONNECTED FROM THE THROTTLE ARM ON THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO. THE THROTTLE ARM WAS IN THE IDLE POSITION. THE HARDWARE CONNECTING THE THROTTLE CABLE ROD END TO THE THROTTLE ARM WAS NOT LOCATED. EXAMINATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE ROD END AND THROTTLE ARM REVEALED WEAR AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THEIR ATTACHMENT HOLES. THE WEAR AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE ATTACHMENT HOLE ON THE THROTTLE ARM WAS CONSISTENT WITH INSTALLATION OF THE ROD END AT A SKEWED ANGLE. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ABOUT 99 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.