Pilot Debrief

Beech 24 near Livingston, TX — 2020-06-13

Final reportCEN20LA228
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Date
2020-06-13
Location
Livingston, TX, USA
Airport
00R
Aircraft
Beech 24
Registration
N444JR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 3 cylinder for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and his passenger departed on a cross-country flight en route to their home airport. While flying at 7,500 ft mean sea level, the engine began to violently shake, vibrate, and then lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a nearby airport; however, the airplane impacted trees and terrain short of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright in a field about 300 yards short of the runway. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder had separated from the engine crankcase. The cylinder, piston, and fractured connecting rod remained within the engine cowling. A review of the maintenance records revealed no recent history of major engine maintenance. Several weeks after the accident, the airplane was recovered by unknown personnel to an unknown location. Examination of the engine to determine the failure of the No. 3 cylinder was not possible.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Performing maintenance checks before the flight could have prevented engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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