Beechcraft A36 N435M

Summary

On 14 November 2007 at about 23:50 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N435M was involved in an accident near El Centro, California, 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

14 November 2007 at 23:50

Classification

Accident

Location

El Centro, California, United States

Coordinates

32.7867, -115.7217

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N435M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Calexico → Whiteman Airpor

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA08LA033

Nobody was injured.

The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the #2 cylinder through bolts. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the initial climb through 5,500 feet, the engine had a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently landed in an alfalfa field, during which the nose gear collapsed, and both wings sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the #2 through bolts and deck studs were loose, allowing the #2 bearing half to shift and cover the oil transfer tubes on the bearing support. This sequence resulted in the #2 main bearing failure due to oil starvation, and subsequent separation of the #2 connecting rod, which resulted in the loss of engine power. The airplane's #2 cylinder had been replaced 24 hours prior to the loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.