# NTSB CEN10LA083: Beech B35, N8828A, Santa Fe, NM, December 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 25, 2009, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Fe, NM - Coordinates: 35.617221, -106.089447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6172&lon=-106.0894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75206 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75206/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75206 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA083 ## Probable cause An engine overpressure condition that resulted in oil getting on the exhaust and producing smoke which entered the cockpit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's obscured vision due to smoke. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=1151506), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md?model=1151506), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=1151506), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech B35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151506), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8828A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8828A-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N D-2373, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH B35 - Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-2373 - Airframe hours: 3767.02 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E-185-8 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cherwink David Lee DBA - Registered owner: Cherwink David Lee DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2009 - Departed: KSAF, Santa Fe, NM - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KSAF, Santa Fe Municipal Airport, runway 02, 8,342 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2009; flight hours: 350 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KSAF ## 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 20091225052789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091225052789A), Dec 25, 2009: Beech B35, Santa Fe, NM, Substantial damage. On 12/25/2009 just after take off on runway 33 pilot reported smoke in the cocpit. The tower observed aircraft turning right toward the northern half of runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75206. 39 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1: Not obtained (item 1, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%3A%20Not%20obtained-Master.PDF - Correspondence: e-mail from pilot (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338024&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%3A%20e-mail%20from%20pilot-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.