# NTSB ERA23LA156: Beech V35, N5616S, Shoreham, NY, March 17, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 17, 2023, 14:14 local (18:14 UTC) - Place: Shoreham, NY - Coordinates: 40.962483, -72.908434 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9625&lon=-72.9084&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106918 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106918/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106918 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA156 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for unknown reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech V35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1151538), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and pilot-rated passenger departed on a local flight; about 20 minutes into the flight the engine started to lose power. The pilot attempted to regain power, but the engine did not respond. He noticed the ocean tide was low, so he elected to land on the beach. The airplane landed hard and veered into the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; however, the airplane was submerged in ocean salt water for a day before it was removed, resulting in heavy corrosion throughout the engine. ## Factual narrative On March 17, 2023, at 1414 eastern daylight time, a Beech V35, N5616S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Shoreham, New York. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he had previously “topped off” the fuel tanks, and on the day of the accident he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and noted no anomalies. Then, he departed Brookhaven Airport (HWV), Shirley, New York, for a local flight. About 20 minutes into the flight, at a cruise altitude of 3,500 ft mean sea level, he noticed that the manifold pressure went up while at the same time the rpm decreased. The pilot attempted to regain engine power by switching fuel tanks, switching magnetos, and giving the engine an alternate air source; however, the engine did not respond. He noticed that the ocean tide was low and elected to land on the beach. The airplane landed hard, the landing gear collapsed, and the left-wing spar was substantially damaged. The airplane veered left and came to rest in the water. Throughout the accident sequence, the pilot noted that the propeller was “slowly” windmilling. Examination of the engine revealed that it contained 12 quarts of oil. The top spark plugs were removed. The No.1 top plug was oil fouled. The Nos. 2, 3, and 5 were all contaminated from saltwater submersion. Fuel was observed in the fuel line to the engine-driven fuel pump and the engine fuel divider. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed and the shaft was found intact. The fuel pump was turned by hand with no anomalies noted. All cylinders were examined with a lighted borescope; however, the cylinder walls and valves were obscured by saltwater corrosion. The fuel injectors were removed and visually inspected for blockage; they were not obscured. The magnetos were examined and filled with salt water. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5616S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5616S), registered now, S/N D-8158 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH V35 - Registry model: [Beech V35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35) (registry code 1151538) (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-8158 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 1000 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2022 - Departed: HWV, Shirely, NY - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 20, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 300 total, 50 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: KHWV, 9 nm away - METAR: KHWV 171856Z AUTO 18012G20KT 10SM CLR 10/05 A2964 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP038 T01000050 ## 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 20230317005979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230317005979A), Mar 17, 2023: Beech V35, Shoreham, NY, Destroyed. Shoreham, NY: [privacy data omitted], V-35, crashed on Shoreham beach due to a pilot reported loss of manifold pressure. Suffolk county police department… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106918. 8.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15955726&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15956061&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-pilot-Rel.pdf - Mechanic's engine examination report (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15955849&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mechanics%20Report%20N5616S_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15956380&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbooks_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 724 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15955595&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20photo%27s-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.