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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 29, 1998 · Beech F35 · N1AG

Orleans, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Orleans, NE
Aircraft
Beech F35
Tail Number
N1AG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI98LA180

The pilot reported that while en route at 9,500 feet msl, the engine quit and attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. The pilot picked out a field and maneuvered the airplane to a 'low key' position abeam his landing point at 1,200 feet agl. He reported extending the landing gear after low key, but when he was at the 90 degree position, he noticed a tower in the field. To avoid the tower, the pilot withheld flap extension and 'zoomed' the aircraft to clear the guy wires supporting the tower. The pilot reported that the airplane stalled at approximately 20 feet above ground level at 65 miles per hour. The engine teardown and inspection revealed broken camshaft gear drive attachment bolts. A metallurgical examination indicated that the failure was due to fatigue. The metallurgist reported the evidence of fatigue failure was exhibited by the beach marks and ratchet marks which suggested that the bolts were under torqued, thus leading to fatigue failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot selected a field with unsuitable terrain and stalled the airplane. Additional factors were the tower in the field, and engine failure due to the improper torque applied to camshaft bolts by other maintenance personnel.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Beech F35, N1AG, impacted the terrain during a forced landing near Orleans, Nebraska, after a loss of engine power. The pilot received minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Pueblo, Colorado, at 0930, and was en route to Hastings, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was on file. The pilot stated while the airplane was in cruise flight at 9,500 feet, VFR over southern Nebraska, he noticed a drop to 11.0 volts shown on the monitor and voltage meter. While attempting to determine the extent of the problem, the pilot heard a "pop" and lost all engine power. He attempted restart using all fuel tanks and both electrical and mechanical pumps. The engine did not restart. While searching for a suitable landing site, the pilot secured the engine and started an emergency descent. The pilot reported that he picked out a field to land in and maneuvered the airplane to enter a "high key" position over the field at 2,300 feet agl. He reported that he flew a "low key" position abeam his landing point at 1,200 feet agl. He reported extending the landing gear after low key, but when he was at the 90 degree position, he noticed a tower in the field. To avoid the tower, the pilot withheld flap extension and "zoomed" the aircraft to clear the guy wires supporting the tower. The pilot reported that he did not have sufficient time nor airspeed to extend the flaps. The pilot reported that the airplane stalled at approximately 20 feet above ground level at 65 miles per hour. Prior to impact, the left wing dropped, the left main gear touched down first followed by the right main gear. The nose gear collapsed with subsequent prop strike and the left main spar broke. The engine teardown and inspection revealed broken camshaft gear drive attachment bolts. Four fractured bolt segments with heads and two fractured segments without heads were submitted for metallurgical examination. The metallurgist reported some of the fractured surfaces were damaged mechanically after fracture. Low power microscopic examination of the undamaged fractured surfaces indicated that the failure was due to fatigue of the bolts. The metallurgist reported the evidence of fatigue failure was exhibited by the beach marks and ratchet marks which suggested that the bolts were under torqued, thus leading to fatigue failure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech F35
Tail NumberN1AG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-225 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data