Beechcraft A23 N2392W

Summary

On 8 February 2003 at about 18:15 local time, a Beechcraft A23 registered N2392W was involved in an accident near Fort Klamath, Oregon, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 February 2003 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Klamath, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

42.7000, -122.0000

Aircraft

Beechcraft A23

Registration

N2392W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Redmond → Chiloquin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03FA038

Nobody was injured.

The separation of the rod end cap from the connecting rod for an undetermined reason during the descent for landing. The ditch was a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during descent for landing, the engine started to "knock" and "shutter." About 15 seconds later a "significant noise" was heard and oil and smoke began to come out of the engine cowling. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the aircraft traveled over a ditch, which sheared off the nose gear. During the post-accident engine inspection, oil was visible on the bottom engine cowling and oil was streaked along the bottom of the fuselage from the engine to the tail. A large hole was noted to the top left side of the crankcase as well as a hole in the bottom left side between cylinders two and four. The number two rod end cap was missing as well as the bolts and nuts. Severe heat distress was noted on the number two connecting rod end and to the associated crankshaft rod journal. All oil passages were clear. The number two bearing was missing. Fragments of connecting rod and bearing material was found in the oil sump. The remaining connecting rods were intact with no evidence of heat distress noted. All oil lines were intact and connections were tight. No evidence of an oil leak was noted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.