Beechcraft K35 N817R

Summary

On 25 August 1991 at about 17:56 local time, a Beechcraft K35 registered N817R, operated by Hershel Maurer, was involved in an accident near Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 August 1991 at 17:56

Classification

Accident

Location

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Coordinates

35.4508, -97.5691

Aircraft

Beechcraft K35

Registration

N817R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Hershel Maurer

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Springfield → Sundance

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW91FA158

2 people were seriously injured.

TOTAL POWER LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS AND CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLTS RESULTING FROM THE MAINTENANCE FACILITIES' FAILURE TO OVERHAUL THE ENGINE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE ENGINE WAS RUN UP TO FULL POWER WITH THE AIRPLANE TOW BAR ATTACHED. AS THE NOSE STRUT COMPRESSED, THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE TOW BAR. A SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE STATING THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD BE DISASSEMBLED AND INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY DID NOT ADVISE THE OWNER OF THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE INCURRED. AS A RESULT OF THE PROPELLER STRIKE, THE CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARINGS ROTATED IN THE SADDLES, FAILING MECHANICALLY. THIS RESULTED IN THE BLOCKAGE OF OIL PASSAGES AND THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLTS. TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED. SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS NOT AVAILABLE. IMPACT OCCURRED IN SOFT CULTIVATED TERRAIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.