# NTSB FTW85LA116: Beech C-35, N5821X, Sheffield, TX, February 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1985, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Sheffield, TX
- Coordinates: 30.689321, -101.820899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6893&lon=-101.8209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21671/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA116

## 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
  - engine assembly - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THE ENG FAILED COMPLETELY DURING CRUISE. THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND SEPARATED DURING THE ENG TEARDOWN, WITH THE ROD AND BEARINGS ALSO SEPARATED. METALLURGICAL TESTING REVEALED FRACTURES TO BE FROM FATIGUE. ENG MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY ACCOMPLISHED DURING REPLACEMENT OF PISTONS AND ROD COMPONENTS. RODS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY ALIGNED, THUS ALLOWING BEARINGS AND CAPS TO RUB AND GROOVE THE CRANKSHAFT, CAUSING THE FAILURE POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5821X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech C-35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2773
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Gerstemeier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 1984, 65 hours before
- Departed: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,774 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,609 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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.