Beechcraft 77 N3870W

Summary

On 8 March 2005 at about 17:30 local time, a Beechcraft 77 registered N3870W was involved in an accident near Austin, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 March 2005 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Austin, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.1944, -97.6697

Aircraft

Beechcraft 77

Registration

N3870W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lago Vista → Austin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05LA083

2 people had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power due to the failure of the number three connecting rod. Contributing factors were the foreign object located within the engine lubrication system, inadequate inspection of the engine by other maintenance personal, 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 5,797-hour pilot reported during cruise flight, he heard "a loud fluttering metallic sound" originating from the engine followed by the propeller stopping abruptly. The pilot initiated a forced landing into a nearby golf course. After touchdown, the pilot noted that due to the downhill slope, and wet grass, braking action was minimal. As the airplane crossed rising terrain near the green, the pilot applied full aft controls and the airplane became airborne. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest upright. Examination of the engine revealed that the number three cylinder connecting rod was separated from the crankshaft. The number three journal was gouged, scoured, and displayed evidence of heat distress. Small amounts of paper fiber, consistent with a shop towel were found throughout the engine crankcase, oil filter, and oil screen. An entry in the engine logbook indicated that the day prior to the accident, the crankshaft, lifters, oil pump impellers, and right magneto were replaced.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.