- Date
- August 7, 1995, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place
- Dublin, NH
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N9310SBeech C23
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report January 29, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950807047739A
- Case key
- 39022
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 engine power due to improper major overhaul of the engine by the reuse of worn piston pins. The rough/ uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a factor.
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 was cruising at 4500 feet when he observed a low oil pressure indication followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing on an open field, during which the nose gear collapsed, and the firewall buckled. The FAA inspector stated that all piston pins were reused at last overhaul, 121 hours prior to the accident. During postaccident examination, all piston pins were found to be below service limits. Additionally, '...the engine failure resulted from metal particles generated by the loose fitting piston pin plugs, causing progressive contamination of the engine lubrication system.'
Factual narrative
On August 7, 1995, at 1920 eastern daylight time, a Beech C23, N9310S, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Dublin, New Hampshire. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated in Beverly, Massachusetts. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot reported he was cruising at 4,500 feet, en route to Keene, New Hampshire. He observed a low oil pressure indication, which was followed shortly by a total loss of engine power. He initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the nosewheel collapsed.
Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the firewall was buckled.
The engine was examined by Textron Lycoming, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. The FAA Inspector reported that all piston pins were polished and reused at the last overhaul, 121 hours prior to the accident. During the engine examination, all piston pins were found to be below the minimum service limits. He further stated:
...The engine failure resulted from metal particles generated by the loose fitting piston pin plugs, causing progressive contamination of the engine lubrication system. Lubrication system contamination resulted in reduced clearances in the connecting rod bearings, and subsequent failure due to over-heat distress. Failure of the number three connecting rod followed the bearing disintegration....
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9310S
- Reported as
- Beech C23
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 1633
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A4J, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- James D. Gregory
- Registered owner
- Marblehead Trsptn. Svc., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- BVY · Beverly, MA
- Destination
- EEN · Keene, NH
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
- 45
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 212 total · 63 in this make and model · 141 as pilot in command · 75 in the last 90 days · 22 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- ASH, 25 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.
Other investigations on N9310S · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.