# NTSB MIA93LA077: Beech N35, N1354Z, Fort Meade, FL, February 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1993, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Fort Meade, FL
- Coordinates: 27.750017, -81.790809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7500&lon=-81.7908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA077

## Probable cause

THE COLLISION WITH A ROAD SIGN DURING A FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT.

## 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, descent - emergency
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole
  - object - fence

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. DURING THE DESCENT FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED.  THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD, AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN.  THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT, COLLIDED WITH A FENCE THEN CAME TO REST. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED NEAR THE REAR COUNTERWEIGHT.  METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT IT FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE WHICH EMANATED FROM A SUBSURFACE ORIGIN.  REVIEW OF THE ENGINE LOGBOOKS REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS THE ORIGINAL WHEN THE ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED ON APRIL 14, 1961.  THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 4,032 HOURS TOTAL TIME, AND HAD BEEN OVERHAULED TWO TIMES, THE LATEST OCCURRING IN 1986.  AT THAT TIME THE CRANKSHAFT WAS MAGNAFLUXED.  THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 1,032 HOURS SINCE THE LATEST OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1354Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1354Z), registered now, S/N D-6774, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH N35
- Registry model: [Beech N35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-n35) (registry code 1151528) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6774
- Airframe hours: 4032
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470N 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davis, William W.
- Registered owner: Davis & Hatcher Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1992, 62 hours before
- Departed: APF, NAPLES, FL
- Destination: DKX, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 806 total, 480 in this make and model, 731 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 18 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 19930228055719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930228055719A), Feb 28, 1993: Beech N35, Fort Meade, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Wing struck road sign on landing. Crankshaft failed. Original crank. Engine overhauled twice.

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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