The Pilot Elected To Turn Right And Ditch In The Adjacent Bay

Location: Sarasota, FL Accident Number: ERA22LA054
Date & Time: November 9, 2021, 16:05 Local Registration: N40831
Aircraft: Piper PA28 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On November 9, 2021, about 1605 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N40831, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sarasota, Florida. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The student pilot reported that he was returning to his home airport toward the end of a roundtrip cross-country flight. While turning from left downwind leg to left base leg of the airport traffic pattern, with 10° flap extension, he noticed that the throttle lever was stuck at the 2,000-rpm position. He then turned on to final approach with 25° flap extension and realized that the descent rate was too great, and that the airplane was not going to make it to the runway. He completely retracted the flaps to reduce drag and checked the throttle friction lock to loosen the throttle but was unsuccessful. In an effort to avoid houses at the approach end of the runway, the pilot elected to turn right and ditch in the adjacent bay. The student pilot subsequently egressed and the airplane sank.

The wreckage was subsequently recovered from the bay and examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The inspector noted substantial damage to the right wing. He also observed that the throttle cable was jammed inside its housing. The throttle cable with housing was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov