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NTSB Report

July 16, 2020 · Beech 36 A36 · N630JL

Independence, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Independence, MO
Aircraft
Beech 36 A36 (1976)
Tail Number
N630JL
Operator
Strategos International
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA288

During the initial climb, the pilot noted a rising cylinder head temperature which shortly after led to the airplane oscillating back and forth and responding slowly. The pilot set up for a forced landing and the airplane began to shake and was unable to hold altitude. During the approach to landing, the engine quit, and the pilot minimized his bank angle to stay out of a stall situation. When the airplane touched down, the pilot lost directional control and the airplane skidded off the road into a grassy area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that on the previous flight, he was in cruise flight at 8,000 ft when he noted that the airplane began “moving back and forth.” He scanned the instruments and saw the cylinder head temperatures (CHT) for the Nos. 5 and 6 cylinders were “running in the red” along with oil temperature. The pilot diverted and landed uneventfully. During the descent for landing, the engine temperatures returned to normal, and he landed uneventfully. The pilot called the owner and discussed what had occurred. The owner suggested that if the pilot was comfortable, he should return to the home airfield. The pilot agreed to return if the taxi and engine run-up checked normal. The engine run-up was normal, and the pilot departed the airport without incident. Postaccident examination of the engine found that the No. 5 cylinder head and piston ring had failed with signatures of denotation. Additionally, the turbocharger oil seal had failed. The pilot stated that he was not running the engine lean with fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the No. 5 piston head and ring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and the pilot’s decision to takeoff with a known mechanical issue.

Full Narrative

On July 16, 2020, about 1720 central daylight time, a Beech 36 airplane, N630JL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Independence, Missouri. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot recalled that on the previous flight, he was in cruise flight at 8,000 ft when he noted that the airplane began “moving back and forth.” He scanned the instruments and saw the cylinder head temperatures (CHT) for the Nos. 5 and 6 cylinders were “running in the red” along with oil temperature. The pilot diverted to the nearest airport. During the descent for landing, the engine temperatures returned to normal, and he landed uneventfully. The pilot called the owner and discussed what had occurred. The owner suggested that if the pilot was comfortable, he should return to the home airfield. Since the engine temperatures returned to normal during the descent and landing, the pilot agreed to return if the taxi and engine run-up checked normal. The engine run-up was normal, and the pilot departed the airport without incident. During the initial climb, about 4 miles from the airport, the No. 4 CHT increased significantly above the rest of the cylinders. The pilot continued the climb, and the airplane began moving back and forth again and began to respond “sluggishly.” The airplane shook and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude, so he set up for a forced landing to a road. During the approach to landing, the engine quit, and the pilot minimized his bank angle to stay out of a stall situation. When the airplane touched down, the pilot lost directional control and the airplane skidded off the road into a grassy area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Examination of the engine found that the No. 5 cylinder head and piston ring had failed with signatures of denotation. Additionally, the turbocharger oil seal had failed. The pilot stated that he was not running lean of peak with fuel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 CDT
Nearest AirportMidwest Ntl Air Center (5nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 36 A36
Tail NumberN630JL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStrategos International
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data