Beechcraft V35 N97500

Summary

On 20 September 2009 at about 22:18 local time, a Beechcraft V35 registered N97500 was involved in an incident near Nacogdoches, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 September 2009 at 22:18

Classification

Incident

Location

Nacogdoches, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.5867, -94.6111

Aircraft

Beechcraft V35

Registration

N97500

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Henderson → Beaumont

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09IA595

Nobody was injured.

The complete loss of engine power due to failure of the number two connecting rod. The reason for the connecting rod failure could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight the airplane's engine experienced a catastrophic failure. The pilot attempted to glide to a local airport, but was unable. While performing the forced landing to a vacant parking lot the airplane's upper windscreen impacted a static wire; however, the pilot was able to land successfully with minor damage to the airplane. Approximately 12 quarts of oil were drained from the engine sump before a tear down examination was performed. The examination revealed that the number two and four connecting rods had separated from the crankshaft. The number two connecting rod cap and rod cap bearings were thermally discolored, and the two rod cap bolts were found separated. Impact signatures on the number four connecting rod were constant with a secondary failure. The reason for the number two rod cap thermal discoloration and subsequent rod failure could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.