Beechcraft B23 N4014T

Summary

On 8 February 2000 at about 19:30 local time, a Beechcraft B23 registered N4014T was involved in an accident near New Braunfels, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 February 2000 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

New Braunfels, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.7602, -98.1906

Aircraft

Beechcraft B23

Registration

N4014T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00FA080

1 person died.

the seizure of the engine while maneuvering due to the oil pressure relief valve plug ball seat becoming contaminated with metal. Contributing factors were the inadequate engine maintenance, and 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

The student pilot made several takeoffs and landings prior to departing the traffic pattern. Witnesses reported observing the airplane flying at an altitude of approximately 20 feet above the trees, and they reported that they did not hear the airplane's engine running. A witness stated that the airplane flew by her in a level attitude, and after the airplane cleared some power lines it started to descend. It then appeared that the airplane's left wing impacted some trees before it nosed down into the trees. Continuity was established to all of the 1968-model Beech Musketeer's flight controls. Examination of the engine oil pressure and suction screens revealed the presence of metal particles, shavings and flakes. The oil pressure relief valve plug, spring, and ball were removed. The ball had metal adhering to it, and the ball seat was contaminated with metal, which according to the manufacturer representative, "may have prevented the ball from contacting the seat." A large amount of sludge was found inside of the crankshaft. A teardown examination of the engine revealed evidence of a lack of lubrication. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the engine's last oil change was on July 2, 1999, at a total airplane and engine time of 1,665.0 hours. There was no record that the oil suction screen or oil pressure screens were cleaned during that oil change. The last documented cleaning of the oil screens was December 1, 1996. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated a total time of 1,680.92 hours and the engine had never undergone an overhaul. The engine's operating manual states that "at each 100 hour inspection remove suction screen. Inspect for metal particles; clean and reinstall. Inspect and clean pressure screen every 25 hours."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.