Beechcraft V35 N6257V

Summary

On 8 July 2017 at about 15:50 local time, a Beechcraft V35 registered N6257V was involved in an accident near Walters, Oklahoma, 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 July 2017 at 15:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Walters, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Jones Farm Field Airport (OK12)

Coordinates

34.3992, -98.2664

Aircraft

Beechcraft V35

Registration

N6257V

Category

Airplane

Year built

1967

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wichita Falls → Lawton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA286

2 people had minor injuries.

Maintenance personnel’s installation of an improper vacuum pump gasket, which resulted in oil starvation to the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was conducting a personal, cross-country flight. He reported that, about 10 minutes after takeoff, the oil pressure decreased to 0, and the engine experienced a loss of all power. The pilot conducted a forced landing on a soft field about 1 mile short of an airport, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and lower fuselage. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the vacuum pump had been replaced the day before the accident. Examination of the engine revealed that three connecting rods exhibited thermal and impact damage, and three rod journals were found dry and exhibited thermal discoloration, indicative of oil starvation. Disassembly indicated that a gasket typically used for carburetors was installed on the vacuum pump. The installed gasket did not completely cover the high-pressure oil orifice on the vacuum pump mounting fixture, which resulted in oil leakage, subsequent oil starvation to the engine, and the loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.