Beechcraft A36 N2036Y

Summary

On 5 March 2010 at about 22:30 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N2036Y, operated by Gale Donald H, was involved in an accident near Slaton, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one 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

5 March 2010 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Slaton, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.4906, -101.5875

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N2036Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Gale Donald H

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lubbock → Dallas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA140

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power due to the insufficient clamping force between the two crankcase halves and each cylinder to the crankcase.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While at 5,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot heard a loud explosion and the left front engine cowling blew open. Shortly thereafter the engine stopped producing power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a flat plowed field. The No. 2 cylinder was found separated from the engine crankcase. A postaccident engine teardown examination revealed that there had been an insufficient clamping force between the crankcase halves and between each cylinder and the crankcase. In particular, the No. 2 crankcase cylinder deck exhibited signatures consistent with the No. 2 cylinder vibrating back and forth before it exited the engine case. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated approximately 1,072 hours since major overhaul and 641 hours since a top overhaul.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.