Beechcraft G35 N4401D

Summary

On 7 May 2016 at about 23:55 local time, a Beechcraft G35 registered N4401D was involved in an accident near Surprise, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 May 2016 at 23:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Surprise, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.6403, -112.3631

Aircraft

Beechcraft G35

Registration

N4401D

Category

Airplane

Year built

1956

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Glendale → Glendale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR16FA102

1 person died.

The mechanic's failure to properly secure the bolt connecting the throttle cable to the carburetor during the installation of the carburetor, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor was asked to complete a maintenance test flight of the airplane following the installation of a repaired carburetor. He elected to use the flight to provide instruction to the private pilot who had requested a checkout in the airplane. The private pilot reported that the flight was initially normal, but then the engine stopped responding to throttle control. According to the private pilot, the engine remained at idle power as the airplane descended and impacted trees in a residential area. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the carburetor throttle cable was detached from the throttle body linkage. The bolt and castellated nut used to secure the throttle cable to the linkage were found lying separately in the engine cowling; there was no evidence that a cotter pin had been used to secure the nut on the bolt, as required. It is likely that the loss of engine power resulted from the failure of the mechanic who installed the carburetor to install the cotter pin when he attached the throttle cable to the carburetor. During the maintenance test flight, the castellated nut backed off of the bolt, which resulted in a loss of throttle control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.