# NTSB CEN13LA072: Beech S35, N322D, DeRidder, LA, November 25, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 2012, 15:42 local (21:42 UTC) - Place: DeRidder, LA - Coordinates: 30.856666, -93 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8567&lon=-93.0000&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85665 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85665/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85665 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA072 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation after the oil filler cap separated from the oil filler tube during flight due to corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during low altitude operations, which precipitated the onset of a stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): oil storage (airframe furnish)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057910): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057910/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057910/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech S35, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Beech S35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that the airplane was in cruise flight at 5,500 feet mean sea level when he heard an "odd" sound coming from the engine. He diverted to the nearest airport but then saw oil on the windscreen and smoke in the cockpit. When he realized he would not reach the diversion airport, the pilot made a gear down landing in a field. Before touchdown, the pilot pushed the control column forward in an attempt to avoid a stall, and the airplane landed hard. Examination of the engine revealed damage consistent with oil starvation. Examination of the engine assembly did not reveal any blocked or restricted oil ports/galleys or slipped/elongated bearings that would result in a loss of oil or oil pressure. Examination of the cap for the oil dipstick revealed it was severely corroded and the tangs used to secure it to the oil filler tube were missing. The cap for the oil gauge rod (dipstick) had separated from the dipstick and was found several feet away from the main wreckage; thus it is likely that the oil leaked out from this location. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 2012, at 1542 central standard time, N322D, a Beechcraft BE-35, made a forced landing to a field in De Ridder, Louisiana, after a total loss of engine power. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the Shreveport Downtown Airport (DTN), Shreveport, Louisiana, approximately 1445, and destined for Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH), Lakes Charles, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot said he was cruising at an altitude of 5,500 feet when he noticed an "odd" sound coming from the engine. He felt that a catastrophic engine failure was imminent so he made a 180 degree turn toward the Beauregard Regional Airport (DRI), De Ridder, Louisiana. The pilot attempted to "smooth out" the engine to no avail. He then noticed oil on the windscreen and smoke in the cockpit. The pilot made a gear down landing in a field. Prior to touchdown, the pilot pushed the nose of the airplane over to avoid a stall. The airplane landed hard in the field and sustained substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, wings, and tail section. An on-scene examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed a 3-inch-wide hole in the top of the engine crankcase and the cap for the oil gauge rod (dipstick) was found several feet away from the main wreckage. According to the company that salvaged the airplane, the bottom of the airplane was coated with oil and oil drained from the airplane for several days after it was recovered. The engine was examined on January 30, 2013, under the supervision of a National Transportation Safety Board air safety investigator. Examination of the engine revealed damage consistent with oil starvation. The #5 connecting rod had released from the crankshaft and the #6 piston was damaged. The piston was fractured across the face of the piston and the piston pin bore was fractured away from the back side of the piston. A large hole was observed in the crankcase above the #5 cylinder. Examination of the engine assembly did not reveal any blocked or restricted oil ports/gallies or slipped/elongated bearings. The main bearing support mating surfaces were intact and exhibited no signs of fretting or bearing tang-slot elongation. The engine accessories were removed and either tested or disassembled, including the oil pump and filter. The oil filter element was contaminated with metal flakes and a large amount of metal debris was found in the oil sump. No mechanical issues were identifed with any of the accessories. Examination of the cap for the oil dipstick revealed it was severley corroded and the lock-tangs used to secure it to the oil filler tube were missing. The airplane's last annual inspection was performed on November 1, 2011, at a total airframe time of 4,797.4 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N322D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N322D-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N D-7756, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH S35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-7756 - Airframe hours: 4797 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E185 SERIES 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jack C. Murrell, Jr - Registered owner: Jack C. Murrell, Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2011 - Departed: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA - Destination: DeRidder, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,107 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: DRI ## 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 20121125026969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121125026969A), Nov 25, 2012: Beech S35, De Ridder, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot was enroute to jennings, LA, when he noticed chance in engine sound. This was followed by oil on the windscreen, smoke fumes and loss of power. Pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85665. 7.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405634&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation with the Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405635&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with FAA (item 3, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA-Master.PDF - Continental Motors Inc. Factual report (item 4, .PDF, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors%20Inc.%20Factual%20report-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.