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NTSB Report
February 3, 1985 · Beech C-35 · N5821X
Sheffield, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sheffield, TX
Aircraft
Beech C-35
Tail Number
N5821X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85LA116
THE PLT STATED THE ENG FAILED COMPLETELY DURING CRUISE. THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND SEPARATED DURING THE ENG TEARDOWN, WITH THE ROD AND BEARINGS ALSO SEPARATED. METALLURGICAL TESTING REVEALED FRACTURES TO BE FROM FATIGUE. ENG MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY ACCOMPLISHED DURING REPLACEMENT OF PISTONS AND ROD COMPONENTS. RODS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY ALIGNED, THUS ALLOWING BEARINGS AND CAPS TO RUB AND GROOVE THE CRANKSHAFT, CAUSING THE FAILURE POINT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THE ENG FAILED COMPLETELY DURING CRUISE. THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND SEPARATED DURING THE ENG TEARDOWN, WITH THE ROD AND BEARINGS ALSO SEPARATED. METALLURGICAL TESTING REVEALED FRACTURES TO BE FROM FATIGUE. ENG MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY ACCOMPLISHED DURING REPLACEMENT OF PISTONS AND ROD COMPONENTS. RODS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY ALIGNED, THUS ALLOWING BEARINGS AND CAPS TO RUB AND GROOVE THE CRANKSHAFT, CAUSING THE FAILURE POINT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech C-35
Tail NumberN5821X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-225-8 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO