19980529011429A

(-23) Engine lost power in flight due to internal component failure. Bolts attaching camshaft gear to camshaft failed resulting in loss of valve train action. After the engine failure, the PIC attempted to make a power-off landing in a plowed field. The aircraft impacted after pulling up to avoid a guy wire on a microwave tower. (.19) on may 29, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Beech F35, N1AG, impacted the terrain during a forced landing near Orleans, Nebraska, after a loss of engine power. The pilot received minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in pueblo, Colorado, at 0930, and was en route to hastings, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was on file. (.4) the pilot reported that while en route at 9,500 feet MSL, the engine quit and attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. The pilot picked out a field and maneuvered the airplane to a 'low key' position abeam his landing point at 1,200 feet AGL. He reported extending the landing gear after low key, but when he was at the 90 degree p osition, he noticed a tower in the field. To avoid the tower, the pilot withheld flap extension and 'zoomed' the aircraft to clear the guy wires supporting the tower. The pilot reported that the airplane stalled at approximately 20 feet above ground level at 65 miles per hour. The engine teardown and inspection revealed broken camshaft gear drive attachment bolts. A metallurgical examination indicated that the failure was due to fatigue. The metallurgist reported the evidence of fatigue failure was exhibited by the beach marks and ratchet marks which suggested that the bolts were under torqued, thus leading to fatigue failure.