# NTSB CHI07LA224: Beech V35B, N313W, Rockford, IL, July 21, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2007, 12:28 local (17:28 UTC) - Place: Rockford, IL - Coordinates: 42.195278, -89.097221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1953&lon=-89.0972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-DuPage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66390/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA224 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain (corn field) encountered during the landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot executed a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The airplane was part of a formation flight at the time of the initial loss of engine power. The pilot stated that about 10 minutes after takeoff, the engine "began to hesitate during large throttle excursions and faltered upon [application of] full throttle." He left the formation with the intention of returning to the departure airport. However, "the engine began making loud noises and the RPM sagged to 2,000," with the manifold pressure approximately 10 inches. He subsequently executed a forced landing to a cornfield. A post accident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies associated with a pre-impact engine failure. The engine assembly was subsequently run on a test stand for approximately 30 minutes. No anomalies were detected during the engine run. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2007, at 1228 central daylight time, a Beech V35B Bonanza, N313W, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Rockford, Illinois. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured. The flight departed Chicago/Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, Illinois, about 1200. The intended destination was Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot stated that he was part of a formation flight of Bonanza airplanes that departed RFD en route to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2007 convention at OSH. He noted that about 10 minutes after takeoff, the engine "began to hesitate during large throttle excursions and faltered upon [application of] full throttle." He left the formation with the intention of returning to RFD. However, "the engine began making loud noises and the RPM sagged to 2,000," with the manifold pressure approximately 10 inches. He subsequently executed a forced landing to a cornfield. A post accident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies associated with a pre-impact engine failure. Condition of the cylinders was unremarkable when inspected using a bore scope. Spark plug wear appeared normal. Engine control continuity was confirmed. Subsequent to the examination, the engine assembly was mounted on a test stand and run for approximately 30 minutes. The engine was run at various speeds from 1,500 RPM to 2,700 RPM. Engine operation was responsive and smooth. Magneto drop was within manufacturer's requirements. Examination of the oil filter media was unremarkable and the fuel inlet screen was clean. No anomalies were detected during the engine run. Airplane maintenance records indicated that an overhaul of the engine was completed on June 6, 2007. At that time, it was converted from a Continental IO-520-BB engine to an IO-550-B-EE engine in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SE1791LA. According to the pilot, the engine had accumulated approximately 37 hours flight time since the overhaul and conversion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N313W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N313W), registered now, S/N D-10363, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech V35B - Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-10363 - Airframe hours: 3242 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B-EE 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007 - Departed: RFD, Rockford, IL - Destination: OSH, Oshkosh, WI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RFD, Chicago/Rockford Intl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,293 total, 160 in this make and model, 1,293 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: RFD ## 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 20070721020009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070721020009A), Jul 21, 2007: Beech V35B, Chicago/Rockfo, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot explained that he experienced loss of power at 3,500 feet MSL near the greater Rockford airport (krfd). He immediately started to look for a… 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.