Mahan STARDUSTER II N45227

Summary

On 19 January 1997 at about 22:45 local time, a Mahan STARDUSTER II registered N45227 was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 January 1997 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Atlanta Municipal (ATA)

Coordinates

33.1105, -94.1597

Aircraft

Mahan STARDUSTER II

Registration

N45227

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA086

1 person was seriously injured.

improper maintenance by unknown person(s), which resulted in the failure of the throttle cable and a substantial loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a forced landing, following a loss of engine power, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid powerlines and vehicles on a highway. The airplane struck a tree before coming to a stop in a pasture. The owner/pilot reported that the airplane, built by private individuals, was released to service in December 1996, and the total time on the day of the accident was 32 hours. The pilot/owner reported that a 'B' clamp 'loosened and allowed the throttle housing to slide freely. This in turn allowed the carb[uretor] to fall back to the idle position.' The throttle cable was examined and removed under the surveillance of the FAA inspector. After the removal, it a cable break was found, where the cable was swaged to the control rod at the cockpit end of the cable. The FAA inspector 'concluded that the power loss was due to failure of the engine throttle control cable.' The reason for the failure of the cable was not determined; however, the individual cable wires 'appear to have been twisted prior to breakage which would indicate improper handling or installation.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.