# Accident 20250225002609A: Beech E33, Lenoir, NC, February 25, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 25, 2025, 13:45 local time
- Place: Lenoir, NC
- Airport: Lower Creek Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.9346° N, 81.4999° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9346&lon=-81.4999&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7697N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7697N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech E33 (registry code 1151422, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e33) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental I0-470 series (registry code 17027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E33
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,500 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA25LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA157) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250225002609A

## Narrative

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

ON 2/25/2025, THE ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^/PILOT OF A BE-E33 DEPARTED THE ANSON COUNTY (KAFP) AIRPORT IN NORTH CAROLINA, ENROUTE TO THE LAKE CUMBERLAND (KSME) AIRPORT IN KENTUCKY AS THE SOLE OCCUPANT. AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 6500 FT MSL, THE ENGINE RPM BECAME ERRATIC AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO DIVERT TO THE HICKORY (KHKY) AIRPORT IN NORTH CAROLINA. ENROUTE, THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED AN UNCONTAINED ENGINE FAILURE AND EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND DECIDED TO LAND AT THE LOWER CREEK (NC27) AIRPORT AS IT WAS CLOSER THAN KHKY. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT LANDED LONG AND CAME TO REST AFTER GOING THROUGH A BARBWIRED FENCE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT WINGS SUSTAINED DAMAGE WHEN THEY STRUCK A FENCE POST. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

## 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 ERA25LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA157), Feb 25, 2025: Beech E33 (N7697N), Lenoir, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanic’s inadequate annual inspection of the airplane and failure to comply with an applicable airworthiness directive, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.

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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