# Accident 20230902013979A: Beech V35, Rutledge, TN, September 2, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 2, 2023, 11:18 local time
- Place: Rutledge, TN
- Airport: Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airpor
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.3044° N, 83.4433° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3044&lon=-83.4433&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5431U, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5431U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech V35 (registry code 1151538, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 12,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA361) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230902013979A

## Narrative

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

ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON 9/2/2023 AFTER AIRCRAFT ENGINE SEIZED INFLIGHT. PILOT STATED HE FELT A BRIEF VIBRATION AND ENGINE SHUDDER PRIOR TO ENGINE SEIZING. PILOT TRADED AIRSPEED FOR ALTITUDE TO ALLOW FOR TIME TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM AND PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. AIRCRAFT LOST AIRSPEED AND LANDED INVERTED IN FORESTED AREA NEAR RUTLEDGE, TN. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER ESCAPED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT INJURY.

THE FAA AND NTSB CONDUCTED A TEAR DOWN OF CONTINENTAL IO-520-B ENGINE, SN: 814447-R, ON 10/3/2023.

AFT CRANKSHAFT COUNTERBALANCE WEIGHT SEPARATED DURING INFLIGHT OPERATION. ENGINE TEAR-DOWN REVEALED SEPARATION OF CRANKSHAFT COUNTERBALANCE WEIGHT FROM CRANKSHAFT COUNTERBALANCE HANGER. SNAP RINGS AND OILING DISCS WERE RECOVERED FROM ENGINE DEBRIS.

THE AIRCRAFT HAD A 100 HOUR INSPECTION CONDUCTED BY AN A&P MECAHNIC ON XX/XX/ 2023.

AN ACTIVE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE, AD 2023-04-08 (SUPERCEDE BY AD 2023-05-16) REQUIRED A CHANGE TO THE INSTALLATION OF CRANKSHAFT COUNTERBALANCE RETAINING RINGS.

## 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 ERA23LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA361), Sep 2, 2023: Beech V35 (N5431U), Rutledge, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of a retaining circlip in one of the No. 2 crankshaft cheek counterweights, which resulted in liberation of the counterweight.

## Other reports on N5431U (1)

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

- [Incident 20200612006739I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200612006739I), Jun 12, 2020: Beech V35 (N5431U), Strawberry Plai, TN, Minor damage. On 6/12/20 N5431U departed kdkx in route to kmor and back to kdkx. Upon departure both fuel tanks showed just below half and the fuel selector was on the right…

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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