M-20 E Super 21
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8.5; Flight Crew Total 290; Flight Crew Type 221
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
After a 3.5 hour flight back from Florida; I had to go around four times before I could land. I simply could not slow the plane down. On the third attempt on climb out I noticed a loss of power and had trouble gaining altitude. On final the fourth time I decided to pull the mixture and lo and behold she slowed down. After a squeaky landing; I found that the only way I could get her to the hangar was to use the mixture control as the throttle was ineffective. After pulling the lower cowling; I discovered that the Heim bearing at the end of the throttle cable was disconnected from the control lever on the fuel servo. The fastening bolt was found in the lower cowling. The castellated nut; washer and cotter pin were not located.
M20 pilot experiences three go-arounds due to his inability to get the aircraft to slow to landing speed. On the fourth attempt the mixture is pulled on short final and a normal landing ensues. The throttle cable was found disconnected from the fuel control lever.