# NTSB CEN09LA209: Beech B24R, N9348S, Bellefontaine, OH, March 15, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 2009, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Bellefontaine, OH
- Coordinates: 40.372222, -83.819999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3722&lon=-83.8200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Columbus FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA209

## Probable cause

The inadequate torque of the Number 3 cylinder rod bolts by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a failure of the connecting rod and a total loss of engine power.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md)
- [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech B24R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech B24R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151253), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During cruise flight the pilot noticed abnormal engine noises and a partial loss of engine oil pressure. He immediately diverted to the nearest airport, but during the turn to base leg the engine oil pressure dropped to zero pounds per square inch and the engine seized. The airplane was not in a position to reach the runway threshold or to clear the airport perimeter fence. During the landing rollout the airplane impacted the airport perimeter fence, damaging both wings and the nose landing gear. An engine teardown examination revealed that the Number 3 cylinder connecting rod assembly had separated from its corresponding crankshaft journal. The journal surface was blue in color, consistent with exposure to excessive heat and lack of lubricant. The oil suction screen was obstructed with bearing material. The Number 3 cylinder connecting rod cap was found jammed beneath the counterbalance weight. One of the two connecting rod stretch bolts remained intact. The corresponding nut was found finger tight. The measured torque for the Number 2 cylinder connecting rod bolts were significantly less than the manufacturer's specification. The engine had accumulated a total of 3,799 hours since new and 492.7 hours since its last overhaul in 1999. The engine was last inspected 23.9 hours before the accident occurred.

## Factual narrative

On March 15, 2009, at 1500 eastern daylight time (edt), a Beech B24R (Sierra), N9348S, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an en route loss of engine power near Bellefontaine, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight departed Grimes Field Airport (I74), near Urbana, Ohio, at 1445 edt and was en route to Bluffton Airport (5G7), near Bluffton, Ohio. According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight when he noticed abnormal engine noises and a partial loss of engine oil pressure. He immediately diverted to the nearest airport, Bellefontaine Regional Airport (KEDJ), and entered downwind for runway 7 (4,999 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). During the turn to base leg, the engine oil pressure dropped to zero pounds per square inch and the engine seized. He established best glide speed and continued the turn onto final approach. The pilot reported that the airplane was not in a position to reach the runway threshold, or to clear the airport perimeter fence. He lowered the landing gear and selected full flaps prior to landing in the grass area outside of the airport perimeter fence. During landing rollout the airplane impacted the airport perimeter fence, damaging both wings and the nose landing gear. An engine teardown examination revealed that the number 3 cylinder connecting rod assembly had separated from its corresponding crankshaft journal. The crankshaft journal surface was blue in color, consistent with exposure to excessive heat and lack of lubricant. The oil suction screen was obstructed with bearing material. The number 3 cylinder connecting rod cap was found jammed beneath the counterbalance weight. One of the two connecting rod stretch bolts remained intact. The corresponding nut was found finger tight. The measured torque for the upper and lower stretch bolts on the number 2 cylinder connecting rod was 15 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) and 6 ft-lbs, respectively. The manufacturer specified torque value was 40 ft-lbs. The Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine, serial number L-13455-51A, had accumulated 492.7 hours since its last overhaul in September 1999 following a propeller strike.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9348S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9348S-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N MC-350, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B24R
- Registry model: [Beech B24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b24r) (registry code 1151253) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-350
- Airframe hours: 3799
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 2008
- Departed: I74, Urbana, OH
- Destination: 5G7, Bluffton, OH
- Airport: KEDJ, Bellefontaine Regional Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 21, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 587 total, 274 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KOAH, 22 nm away

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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