# NTSB ERA22LA082: Beech S35, N80YD, Tallahassee, FL, December 7, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 7, 2021, 07:57 local (12:57 UTC) - Place: Tallahassee, FL - Coordinates: 30.37251, -84.229476 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3725&lon=-84.2295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA082 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to a lack of oil lubrication. ## 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 · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: 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: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Beech S35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a cross-country flight under instrument flight rules, he smelled burning oil. The engine oil pressure decreased to zero and the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. While diverting to a nearby airport, smoke began to enter the cabin before the engine lost all power. The airplane descended through the clouds and the pilot attempted to perform a forced landing to a dirt road, but impacted trees during the landing, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the left ruddervator. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed evidence of lubrication distress that ultimately resulted in the failure of three of the engine’s six connecting rods. Based on this evidence and the pilot’s description that a burning oil smell and loss of oil pressure preceded the loss of engine power, it is likely that the engine began to leak oil at some point during the flight; however, the reason for or source of the oil leak was not determined. ## Factual narrative On December 7, 2021, about 0757 eastern standard time, a Beech BE-35, N80YD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tallahassee, Florida. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, during his preflight inspection he noted that the oil quantity on the dipstick indicated 11.5 quarts and that the oil filler cap was tight. The pilot also described that he did not observe any abnormalities during the engine runup. The pilot then departed for Columbus Airport (CSG), Columbus Georgia, on an instrument flight rules flight plan. During cruise flight, at 6,000 ft, the pilot reported a faint smell of smoke and observed that the engine instruments were nominal. He was concerned and contacted air traffic control to inquire about the weather conditions at nearby airports and reported that there was dense fog all around. The smoke smell then became more prominent, with the pilot describing it as having a distinct smell of oil burning but without visible smoke. The engine oil pressure then began to decrease, after which the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. The engine continued to run smoothly for another two minutes before the oil pressure decreased to zero. Shortly thereafter the engine began to run roughly, and smoke began to enter the cabin. Air traffic control subsequently provided the pilot with radar vectors for an instrument approach to Tallahassee International Airport (TLH), Tallahassee, Florida. The engine eventually lost power completely and the pilot knew that he would not be able to reach TLH. The pilot began to look through breaks in the fog to locate where he could perform a forced landing. The pilot eventually saw a dirt road and as he broke through a final layer of fog, he realized he would not be able to clear a tree line. As the airplane approached the trees, the pilot pulled the control yoke back in attempt to rapidly slow the airplane before it struck the trees with its underside. Following the impact with the trees, the pilot egressed the airplane. The airplane’s fuselage, both wings, and the left ruddervator were substantially damaged during the accident. Postaccident examination of the engine (about 1 month after the accident) revealed that the cylinder Nos. 5 and 6 connecting rods had fractured and breached the engine case. The engine was bearing races were corroded from being exposed to the elements following the accident. The connecting rods were heat damaged consistent with a lack of lubrication. A lighted borescope was used to examine the remaining connecting rods. The No. 4 connecting rod was fractured. The Nos. 1, 2 and 3 connecting rods were intact. All of the rocker covers were removed and no anomalies noted with the rocker arms, springs, or push rods. The oil drain plug was fractured off and no oil remained in the engine. The oil pump was fractured off the engine, impactdamaged, and the pressure adjustment screw was missing. The oil pump rotated smoothly. The spark plugs were removed and displayed a worn out-severe appearance. According to the maintenance logbooks, the airplane had an annual inspection completed on June 8, 2021. At that time, the engine had accumulated 4,363 hours of total time and 942 hours since major overhaul. No anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80YD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80YD-2023-12-26), registration cancelled 2023-12-26, S/N D-7394, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH S35 - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (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-7394 - Year built: 1964 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BA3 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Hunt / AeroMed Transport Co - Registered owner: James Hunt / AeroMed Transport Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2021 - Departed: PIE, St Petersburg, FL - Destination: CSG, Columbus, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: TLH, Tallahassee Intl - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 15, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 860 total, 345 in this make and model, 840 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: TLH, 7 nm away - METAR: KTLH 071253Z 00000KT 1/4SM FG VV002 14/14 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP186 T01390139 ## 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 20211207020649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211207020649A), Dec 7, 2021: Beech S35, Tallahassee, FL, Substantial damage. On December 7, 2021, at approximately 7:56 EST, N80YD, a Beechcraft BE-S35, s/n D-7394, [privacy data omitted] lost engine power during cruise flight and… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104358. 21.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15460522&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 516 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16057517&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=80YD%20NTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine examination summary (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15460835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Field%20and%20Examination%20Notes-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - oil pump examination (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15460734&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandom-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 10.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15461009&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=maintenance%20records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15460754&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15460139&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Final%20NTSB%20Release_N80YD_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control documentation (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16049496&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence-Control-Form_oil%20pump_Redacted-Rel.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.