- Date
- February 24, 1995, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place
- Shadyside, OH
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N3344VBeech 35
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 27, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950224002919A
- Case key
- 38925
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The loss of oil pressure, which resulted in the number six connecting rod failure and penetration through the crankcase.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported, during cruise flight, about 10 miles from the destination airport, the oil quantity gauge indicated a low oil quantity. The pilot observed white smoke entering the cockpit and a loss of engine power. He saw a field off the right wing and attempted to go there for a forced landing. While approaching the field the pilot determined the airplane would not reach the field and decided to stall the airplane on top of some trees in a wooded area. Post accident examination revealed, '...the number six connecting rod failed due to loss of lubrication and the resultant build up of heat which melted the rod bearing and rod bolts, causing the rod to be forced through the crankcase.' There was no oil found in the engine throughout the examination.
Factual narrative
On Friday, February 24, 1995 about 1215 eastern standard time, a Beech 35, N3344V, piloted by Miguel Angel Iturmendi, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Shadyside, Ohio. The pilot received minor injuries. The ferry flight from Columbus, Ohio to Wheeling, West Virginia was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot reported, during cruise flight about 10 miles from Wheeling, he noticed the oil quantity gauge was indicating a low oil quantity. The pilot then observed white smoke entering the cockpit and a loss of engine power. He saw a field off the right wing and attempted to go there for a forced landing. While approaching the field, the pilot determined the airplane would not reach the field and decided to stall the airplane on top of some trees in a wooded area.
The engine was inspected by Clydesdale Aircraft Corporation under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration. Post accident examination revealed, "...The number six connecting rod failed due to loss of lubrication and the resultant build up of heat which melted the rod bearing and rod bolts, causing the rod to be forced through the crankcase." There was no oil found in the engine throughout the examination.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3344V
- Reported as
- Beech 35
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- D-807
- Airframe hours
- 4,200
- Engine
- Continental E-225, 225 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry · Part 91
- Operator
- Baker M B
- Registered owner
- Baker M B
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- OSU · Coulumbus, OH
- Destination
- HLG · Wheeling, WV
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 23
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 900 total · 30 in this make and model · 800 as pilot in command · 100 in the last 90 days · 40 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 310° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 4,000 ft broken
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.