Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 220; Flight Crew Total 12500; Flight Crew Type 250
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
Flying along the beach and in a descent from 2;000 feet MSL to 1;000 feet MSL along a barrier island on the coast. As I went to increase the power to level off; the throttle would not go above 40 percent power. Being a 'geared' engine; I did not have enough thrust to maintain level flight. I continued descent to where I could land on a desolate part of the beach. The beach was populated in one area; but sparsely populated in another area. I was not in compliance with FAR's concerning remaining clear of populated area as I flew over the populated portion to get to the unpopulated portion. As I reduced power to idle to land; the throttle moved freely; so I re-attempted to add power and was successful; never having to land on the beach. We believe the occupier of the back seat got his watch stuck in the throttle.
An experimental aircraft engine throttle was blocked at low power setting by a passenger's watch; unbeknown to the pilot who prepared to land on a beach after passing low over a populated area but at the last minute the throttle block was removed and they climbed.