# NTSB CHI85LA178: Beech H35, N5544D, Lima, OH, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1985, 21:20 local (Apr 27, 1985, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Lima, OH
- Coordinates: 40.740261, -84.109069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7403&lon=-84.1091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13051/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA178

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - overload (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING THE ACFT BACK TO THE HOME ARPT FOLLOWING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WHEN HE NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS FALLING TO ZERO. APRX 3 MIN LATER, THE ENG SEIZED. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERG GEAR-UP LANDING WAS MADE IN A FARM FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THE OIL PRESSURE LINE HAD FRACTURED AT THE FLARED END WHERE IT WAS CONNECTED TO A 90 DEG FITTING ON THE CRANKCASE. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE BREAK OCCURRED FROM OVERLOAD. AN INSPN OF THE ACFT ALSO REVEALED OTHER DISCREPANCIES. WIRES FROM THE OVER VOLTAGE RELAY'S FLD TERMINAL & THE ALTENATOR FLD TERMINAL WERE MIS-ROUTED WHICH ALLOWED THE REGULATOR TO BE UNREGULATED. ALSO, AN ALLIGATOR CLIP WAS FOUND CONNECTED TO THE WIRING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5544D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5544D-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N D-5147, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5147
- Airframe hours: 3870
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-G 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian L. Browne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: KY54, PEWEE VALLEY, KY
- Destination: 2G5, GROSSE ILE, MI
- Airport: AOH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,616 total, 1,616 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FDY, 20 nm away

## 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 19850426017679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850426017679A), Apr 26, 1985: Beech H35, Lima, OH, Substantial damage. Gear up forced landing when engine seized up. Engine oil pressure line broken at flare. Below par maintenance noted

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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