Cirrus SR20 N389CP

Summary

On 19 November 2008 at about 12:40 local time, a Cirrus SR20 registered N389CP, operated by Capt, LLC, was involved in an accident near Green Cove Springs, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 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 November 2008 at 12:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Green Cove Springs, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Reynolds Airpark (FL60)

Coordinates

29.9644, -81.6650

Aircraft

Cirrus SR20

Registration

N389CP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Capt, LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Palm Coast → Palm Coast

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA062

1 person had minor injuries.

The fusing of an electrical cable from the No. 2 (standby) alternator with the throttle cable resulting in the flight crew’s inability to move the throttle control. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to detect inadequate clearance and chafing of the Alternator No. 2 output cable against the throttle cable housing during the 100-Hour inspections.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an instructional flight while in contact with a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control facility, the student pilot reduced the throttle to descend with no response. The CFI took the controls and attempted several times to move the throttle control but was unable. The certified flight instructor (CFI) maneuvered the airplane toward a nearby airport, but was unable to maintain altitude due to the decreased engine rpm. During controlled flight while descending, the airplane impacted the tops of trees then impacted the ground. The CFI, whose hand was on the airframe parachute system handle at the point of tree contact, unintentionally fired the parachute at the moment of ground contact. The airplane then nosed over and the rear seat occupant broke the rear window using the emergency egress hammer. All 3 occupants exited the airplane. Further inspection of the engine compartment revealed the No. 2 alternator output cable was routed under the throttle cable, which is contrary to the routing when the airplane was manufactured. The throttle cable housing chafed thru the insulation of the Alternator No. 2 output cable causing arching and fusing both together, preventing movement of the throttle control. Review of the maintenance records revealed six discrepancies related to the No. 2 alternator and two discrepancies related to the throttle control in over a six month period. Two of the corrective action entries for the alternator issued involve removal and replacement of the data acquisition unit (DAU) and master control unit (MCU), while the corrective action for the throttle control was that it was lubricated. Between the date of the six discrepancies related to the No. 2 alternator and the two entries related to the throttle, the airplane was inspected a total of four times either in accordance with a 100-Hour or annual inspection. Inspection of the wiring of the alternator for condition and security is contained in the airplane's maintenance manual.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.