Cessna 172N N4792D

Summary

On 14 July 2006 at about 21:45 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N4792D, operated by Mac Dan Aviation, was involved in an accident near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 July 2006 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Essex County Airport (CDW)

Coordinates

41.0167, -74.2800

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N4792D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Mac Dan Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Caldwell → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06LA179

1 person died.

Improper maintenance of the throttle shaft, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight, and subsequent impact with trees during a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident flight was the first flight after the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed. During the flight, the pilot reported that he had no throttle control. The pilot further stated that the engine rpm was 1,400, and the airplane was losing altitude. The pilot attempted to execute a forced landing to an access road; however, the airplane struck trees and a postcrash fire ensued. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the throttle body portion of the carburetor remained attached to the engine, and the cotter pin was missing from the throttle lever locknut. The throttle lever locknut was partially backed-off its stop. In addition, the throttle lever was loose, and the serrations on the throttle shaft stop were disengaged from the serrations on the throttle lever. Review of maintenance records revealed that during the annual inspection, the throttle shaft bushings and shaft assembly were noted as worn, and were subsequently removed and replaced. The mechanic that performed the work stated that he recalled installing a throttle shaft bushing and a throttle shaft, but did not recall a cotter pin missing. Review of a Cessna service manual revealed instructions and diagrams to secure the locknut with a cotter pin. No other preimpact mechanical malfunctions were observed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.