# NTSB CHI93LA345: Beech P35, N8527M, Ottumwa, IA, August 31, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1993, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Ottumwa, IA
- Coordinates: 41.009963, -92.410789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0100&lon=-92.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA345

## Probable cause

an oil leak in the oil filter adapter.  A factor was landing in a crop field.

## 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 - normal
  - lubricating system,oil gasket - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT AN AIRPORT IN OTTUMWA, IOWA; HOWEVER, WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT MAKE THE AIRPORT, HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A CROP FIELD.  A POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER GASKET.

## Factual narrative

On August 31, 1993, at 1100 central daylight time, a Beech P35, N8527M, registered to Darrell W. Allen of Independence, Missouri, and operated by an instrument rated private pilot, experienced a loss of oil pressure while in cruise flight.  During a forced landing in a corn field one and one-half miles north of the Ottumwa Industrial Airport, Ottumwa, Iowa, the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Independence, Missouri, at 0955 with the intended destination of Amana, Iowa.

The pilot stated that when oil pressure went to zero (0), he attempted to fly to the airport.  When he realized that he would not be able to make the airport, he elected to initiate a forced landing in a crop field.

An examination of the engine, by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed an oil leak from a seal in the oil filter adapter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8527M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8527M-1995-02-06), registration cancelled 1995-02-06, S/N D7191 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH P35
- Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7191
- Airframe hours: 2540
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Allen, Darrell W.
- Registered owner: Allen, Darrell W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1993, 12 hours before
- Departed: 31P, INDEPENDENCE, MO
- Destination: C11, AMANA, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,362 total, 1,140 in this make and model, 1,362 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OTM, 2 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 19930831032279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930831032279A), Aug 31, 1993: Beech B35, Ottumwa, IA, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Landed in crop field. Oil filter adapter seal failed. Leaked out oil.

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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