# NTSB ATL91LA030: Beech S35, N53G, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, December 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1990, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: N. Myrtle Beach, SC
- Coordinates: 33.819866, -78.670623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8199&lon=-78.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE ENGINE OIL FILTER WAS PROPERLY INSTALLED PRIOR TO FLIGHT, RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LOSS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE.

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil filter/screen - loose
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ABOUT FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE ENGINE SURGE, RUN ROUGHLY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT. OIL WAS OBSERVED ON THE WINDSCREEN PRIOR TO THE ENGINE QUITTING. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE POLE AND NOSED OVERR. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED AN OIL LEAK AT THE ENGINE OIL FILTER. THE FILTER WAS SAFETY WIRED, BUT LOOSE. TWO CONNECTING RODS WERE FOUND BROKEN, AND EVIDENCE OF EXTREME OVERHEATING WAS OBSERVED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. AN AIRPORT OFFICIAL REPORTED A LARGE AMOUNT OF NEW OIL ON THE RAMP WHERE THE AIRPLANE WAS PARKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N53G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7849
- Airframe hours: 4713
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA3 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ethell, Ervin C. & Jeffrey L.
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1990, 70 hours before
- Departed: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: GSO, GREENSBORO, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 750 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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