Pilot Debrief

BEECH V35 near Trussville, AL — 2013-11-28

Final reportERA14LA052
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Date
2013-11-28
Location
Trussville, AL, USA
Aircraft
BEECH V35
Registration
N5655D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The failure of the No. 2 connecting rod due to oil starvation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach, he heard a "loud pop" and that the engine then lost total power. The airplane was too far away to glide to the destination airport, so the pilot chose to perform a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Subsequent teardown examination of the engine revealed evidence of oil starvation at the No. 2 connecting rod, which resulted in its separation from the crankshaft and its subsequent puncturing of a hole in the crankcase. The oil tube from the main bearing to the No. 2 connecting rod was found clear and unrestricted. At some point during the life of the engine, the interior of the rocker covers had been coated with an unapproved material. The coating material had been flaking off during operation and had been cleaned from two of six of the rocker covers. The four remaining covers still contained the coating material, but it could not be determined if the material caused the oil restriction because none of the material was found in any of the oil or oil passages. However, it is possible that any restricting material dislodged and escaped during the engine failure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have conducted a go-around instead of continuing the approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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