Beechcraft H35 N4684D

Summary

On 1 August 2012 at about 16:20 local time, a Beechcraft H35 registered N4684D was involved in an accident near Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 August 2012 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Holly Lake Ranch Airport (16TE)

Coordinates

32.6975, -95.2078

Aircraft

Beechcraft H35

Registration

N4684D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mineola → Gilmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA501

1 person was seriously injured.

The incomplete maintenance performed by maintenance personnel, 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

The airplane’s engine lost power during the descent to the destination airport, and the airplane struck trees during the ensuing forced landing attempt. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the idler gear pin was not in position and no retaining bolts were found. Additionally, the nuts from the forward left, lower through bolt on the crankcase half and the forward left engine mount bolt were missing. A logbook entry indicated that the engine had been reassembled and re-installed on the airplane about 1 week before the accident due to a previous propeller strike. Based on the available information, it is likely that the improper assembly of the engine, specifically the omission of the idler gear pin retaining bolts, resulted in the idler gear falling out of its position and a subsequent complete loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.