Beechcraft F33 N80WH

Summary

On 23 August 2019 at about 13:46 local time, a Beechcraft F33 registered N80WH was involved in an accident near Hobe Sound, Florida, United States. 3 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

23 August 2019 at 13:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Hobe Sound, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.0328, -80.1114

Aircraft

Beechcraft F33

Registration

N80WH

Category

Airplane

Year built

1974

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stuart → Stuart

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA19LA258

Nobody was injured.

A bearing shift, which resulted in a loss of lubrication to the crankshaft, the failure of the crankshaft, and a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During low-altitude cruise flight, the engine lost total power and the pilot performed a forced landing on an embankment next to a road, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing, right tip tank, and right elevator. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured between the No. 2 main bearing journal and the No. 2 connecting rod journal and exhibited evidence of lubrication distress. Additionally, the No. 2 bearing had shifted, and a large portion of the bearing had extruded from the bearing support. The bearing support mating surfaces displayed fretting and the lock tab had completely worn away. Based on the observed damage, it is likely that the No. 2 main bearing shifted, resulting in inadequate lubrication to, and subsequent failure of, the crankshaft. While the crankcase mating surfaces displayed unapproved sealant material with no signs of silk thread, which was not consistent with the engine manufacturer’s guidance for engine assembly, the breakaway through bolt torque remained at or above the manufacturer’s specification. It could not be definitively determined, based on available evidence, if the use of an unapproved sealant contributed to the bearing shift.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.