Beechcraft A36TC N3810X

Summary

On 20 April 2005 at about 20:03 local time, a Beechcraft A36TC registered N3810X was involved in an accident near Southbury, Connecticut, 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

20 April 2005 at 20:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Southbury, Connecticut, United States

Nearest airport

Waterbury-Oxford (OXC)

Coordinates

41.4833, -73.2286

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36TC

Registration

N3810X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cleveland → Providence

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC05LA074

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the counter weight aft snap ring to hold the associated plate and pin in place, which resulted in 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 taxi, runup, and takeoff, the pilot did not notice any anomalies with the engine, and the flight progressed without incident until about 90 miles short of the intended destination when the engine started to run rough for a few seconds before it stopped producing power. The windscreen became covered with oil, and the pilot executed an off airport forced landing, substantially damaging the airplane. External examination of the engine revealed three holes in the top of the engine case, and a crankshaft counter weight pin resting on top of the engine. Internal examination of the engine revealed heavy mechanical damage on the No. 5 counter weight, and the engine case in the vicinity of the No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders. Examination of the No. 5 counter weight assembly revealed that one of the two aft snap rings, plates, and pins were missing. The pin was located on top of the engine during the external examination, but neither the snap ring nor plate could be located. The fact that the engine was operated for approximately 16 hours since overhaul, along with the witness mark on the surface of the counter weight, suggested that the snap ring, plate, and pin were installed; however, it could not be determined if the snap ring was properly seated. A review of engine overhaul records revealed that on February 5, 2005, the counterweights, along with the pins, plates, and snap rings were installed on the crankshaft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.