NTSB Factual Report

On February 22, 2003, at 1320 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150F, N8115F, registered to and operated by a private owner collided with an object two miles west of the Russell Airport in Rome, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local training flight. The CFI and student pilot were not injured and the airplane was substantially damage. The training flight originated from the Russell Airport in Rome, Georgia, at 1300 on February 22, 2003.

According to the CFI, the student pilot was practicing emergency procedures and had been instructed to configure the airplane for slow flight. A short time later, the CFI instructed the student increase engine power, but the engine only developed about 1900 RPM. The CFI took control of the airplane and applied carburetor heat. The engine rpm decreased to 1000 rpm, and the carburetor heat was turned off. Unable to maintain altitude, the CFI made a forced landing to a golf course. According to the CFI, the airplane collided with a light pole and spun horizontally into trees during the forced landing attempt.

Examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing assembly was separated from the airframe. The examination of the engine compartment revealed that the throttle cable was completely disconnected from the carburetor throttle arm. The throttle arm was found in the idle position. The connecting hardware was not located or recovered from the accident site. A review of the aircraft records revealed that the carburetor was installed about 9 hours before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The maintenance personnel failure to secure the throttle linkage during the installation of the carburetor that resulted in the loss of engine power.