CEN10LA083

During a departure on a cross-country flight the private pilot noticed an oily smoke entering the airplane's cockpit. As the smoke began to accumulate, the pilot's vision was obscured. The pilot landed on the only runway he could see through the smoke. The airplane touched down with the left wing low and the airplane departed the side of the runway. An overpressure condition in the engine's crankcase resulted in oil being driven out of the crankcase and onto the exhaust system. Smoke entered the cockpit through the heater duct system and gaps in the firewall.

On December 25, 2009, approximately 0930 mountain standard time, a Beech B35, N8828A, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain during an emergency landing at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport (KSAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to statements provided by the pilot, while departing KSAF on runway 33, smoke began to enter the cockpit. The pilot stated that he could not see clearly in front of him and elected to land on the nearest visible runway which was runway 02. While landing on runway 02, the airplane touched down with the left wing low and departed the side of the runway. An on-site examination of the airplane was not conducted prior to the airplane being transported to the pilot's hangar The pilot stated that an overpressure in the crankcase resulted in oil being driven onto the exhaust system. The resulting smoke entered the cockpit through the heater duct system and gaps in the firewall. The pilot had the heater duct fully open to compensate for the ambient temperature. Furthermore, the smoke was described by the pilot as an oil-based smoke. The pilot noted that the smoke reduced considerably when less engine power was applied. No other anomalies were reported with the airplane or engine.