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November 17, 2001 · Beech P35 · N9754Y

Belle Glade, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 2001
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Belle Glade, FL
Aircraft
Beech P35
Tail Number
N9754Y
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA02LA018

The pilot said he had been airborne for about 20 minutes and looked at the JPI indicator which showed that the oil temperature was 89 degrees and the oil pressure was zero. He said he then entered a turn to go to State Road 84 and execute an emergency landing, and during the turn a loud bang occurred and the engine ceased operating. He then saw a dirt road about 15 miles southwest of State Road 84, and executed a forced landing there instead, but during the landing rollout the left wing tip impacted a pick-up truck that had been parked on the dirt road and it veered into a ditch. The FAA Inspector who responded to the accident scene found clean oil on the bottom of the fuselage, but did not determine the source of the oil leak. The following day when salvage personnel returned to the accident scene to retrieve the airplane wreckage for a detailed examination, they found that the airplane had burned. The engine compartment and aft, to include the cabin and inboard two thirds of both wings had incurred fire damage. Only the wing tips and empennage remained undamaged. Examination of the engine revealed that the rear and right side of the engine had incurred fire damage. In addition, the examination showed that there was an opening in the engine case at the No. 4 cylinder position, and the No. 4 connecting rod was protruding through the opening. Both the No. 4 and No 5 connecting rods had separated from the crankshaft, and both connecting rods as well as all main bearings exhibited signatures consistent with oil starvation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine oil for undetermined reasons that resulted in the engine seizing, a forced landing on a dirt road, and an impact with a vehicle on the dirt road during the landing rollout.

Full Narrative

On November 17, 2001, about 1125 eastern standard time, a Beech P35, N9754Y, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, incurred a loss of engine power, while in cruise flight, about 12 miles south of Belle Glade, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot received serious injuries, and one passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Pembroke Pines, Florida, the same day, about 1100. The pilot stated that he estimated that he had been airborne for about 20 minutes when he looked at the JPI indicator on the instrument panel and noted that the oil temperature was 89 degrees and the oil pressure was zero. He had been receiving visual flight rules (VFR) flight following, and was talking to Miami Air Traffic Control Center, so he then told them that he was having engine problems and will attempt to make an emergency landing on State Road 84. According to the pilot, as he maneuvered the aircraft into a turn to proceed to State Road 84, there was a loud bang and the engine ceased operating. He said he then saw a dirt road about 15 miles southwest of State Road 84, so he prepared for a forced landing to the dirt road instead. The approach and touchdown on the dirt road were "perfect," but he said he had not seen a pick-up truck that had been parked on the dirt road prior to touchdown, and as the rollout continued the airplane's left wing tip impacted the truck, and the airplane veered off the road into a ditch, incurring damage. On November 17, 2001, an FAA Inspector responded to the accident scene, and stated that he saw clean oil on the bottom of the fuselage, but added that he was unable to determine from where the oil had come. The following day, when salvage personnel returned to the accident scene to retrieve the wreckage for a detailed examination, they found that the aircraft had burned. The airplane engine compartment and aft, to include the cabin and inboard two thirds of the airplane wings had incurred fire damage. Only the wing tips and empennage had not incurred fire damage. On December 5, 2001, the NTSB along with a representative from Teledyne Continental Motors, examined the accident airplane's engine. The examination revealed the existence of fire damage. In addition, the examination showed that there was an opening in the engine case at the No. 4 cylinder position, and the No. 4 connecting rod was protruding through the opening. Both the No. 4 and No 5 connecting rods had separated from the crankshaft , and both connecting rods as well as all main bearings exhibited signatures consistent with oil starvation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:25 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech P35
Tail NumberN9754Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO470N14B · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 19 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data