# Accident 20230610011149A: Beech B35, Orangeburg, SC, June 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 10, 2023, 10:20 local time
- Place: Orangeburg, SC
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5952° N, 80.8777° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5952&lon=-80.8777&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8725A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8725A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech B35 (registry code 1151506, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental E225 series (registry code 17015, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR E225 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 125 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23FA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA265) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230610011149A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON JUNE 10, 2023 AT APPROXIMATELY 0955 HOURS (LOCAL), THE  BEECH B-35 DEPARTED HAMPTON COUNTY AIRPORT (3JO) ENROUTE TO JIM HAMILTON/LB OWENS FIELD (CUB).  PRELIMINARY ADS-B DATA INDICATED THE AIRCRAFT FLEW GENERALLY A NORTHBOUND HEADING CLIMBING TO AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 5,500 FT. MSL BEFORE GRADUALLY DESCENDING.  THE AIRPLANES GROUND SPEED AVERAGED BETWEEN 115 TO 130 KTS. UNTIL ABOUT 1018 HOURS, WHEN THE GROUND SPEED ABRUPTLY DROPPED TO LESS THAN 70 KTS.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND UNTIL ADS-B DATA WAS LOST AT APPROXIMATELY 1021 HOURS ABOUT 8 NAUTICAL MILES NORTH OF ORANGEBURG MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (OGB).

PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF ATC VOICE DATA INDICATES THE PILOT MADE A MAYDAY CALL AND REPORTED LOSING ENGINE POWER.  ATC REPLIED THAT THE CLOSEST AIRPORT WAS OGB AND THERE WERE SEVERAL GRASS STRIPS IN THE VICINITY.  NO OTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT WERE HEARD.

AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA.  EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE BEFORE COMING TO REST RIGHT SIDE UP.  EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER DID NOT REVEAL ANY CHORDWISE SCRATCHES OR LEADING-EDGE GOUGING.  THE COCKPIT AND FUSELAGE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT THERMAL DAMAGE.  THE WINGS WERE FAIRLY INTACT, AND THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED.  THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INSTRUMENTS AND SWITCHES WERE THERMALLY DAMAGED AND UNREADABLE.  THE FUEL SYSTEM SELECTOR WAS ALSO THERMALLY DAMAGED BUT WAS RECOVERED FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE WERE RECOVERED AND RETAINED FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

THIS ACCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE NTSB.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA23FA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA265), Jun 10, 2023: Beech B35 (N8725A), Orangeburg, SC, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A stuck No. 3 cylinder intake valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.

## Other reports on N8725A (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19970324010509I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970324010509I), Mar 24, 1997: Beech A36 (N8725A), Fullerton, CA, Minor damage. Narrative: during taxi operation pilot struck wingtip of other aircraft breaking both wingtips navigation lights assemblies. Minor damage to both aircraft.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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