# NTSB ATL87LA162: Beech V35B, N55KP, Lexington, NC, June 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1987, 17:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, NC
- Coordinates: 35.80054, -80.25 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8005&lon=-80.2500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 86-13-04 R3](https://openairdocs.org/ad/86-13-04-R3) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA162

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate compliance determination, manufacturer (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - performed, other maintenance personnel
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED ROUGH TERRAIN AND IMPACTED TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT IN A FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOST PWR AT 8,500 FT MSL. POST-ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #1 CYL BARREL HAD CRACKED AND SEPARATED NEAR THE CYL HEAD. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE BARREL REVEALED THAT IT WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THE MFR'S SPECS. FAA AD 86-13-04 APPLIED TO THIS ENGINE AND CYL BARREL, AND HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH 41 HOURS PRIOR TO THE CYL FAILURE. THE AD REQUIRED RECURRING VISUAL EXAM AND PRESSURE CKS FOR CRACKS EVERY 50 HOURS UNTIL 440-490 HRS TOTAL OPERATING TIME (TT). THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REBUILT BY THE MFR IN FEB 86, AND HAD 214 HRS TT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55KP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55KP), registered now, S/N D-9173, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-9173
- Airframe hours: 2132
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA8B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Max E. Ausley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1987, 41 hours before
- Departed: W07, FREDRICKSBURG, VA
- Destination: DOTHAN, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,600 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 24 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870608019229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870608019229A), Jun 8, 1987: Beech V35B, Lexington, NC, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Smoke in cockpit. Crash landed in a field. An engine cylinder had split. 41 hours since AD work.

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.

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