# NTSB NYC95LA183: Beech C23, N9310S, Dublin, NH, August 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1995, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Dublin, NH - Location: 42.9076° N, 72.0626° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dublin, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9076&lon=-72.0626&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA183 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - engine assembly,other - worn - maintenance,overhaul - improper, unknown (cause) - lubricating system - contamination - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9310S-2015-05-21), registration cancelled 2015-05-21, S/N M-1633, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C23 - Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1633 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950807047739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950807047739A), Aug 7, 1995: Beech C23, Dublin, NH, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Crash landed. Worn piston pins produced metal particles damaged bearings. Engine thru a rod. ## Other investigations on N9310S (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI01LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA304), Sep 3, 2001: Beech C23 (N9310S), St. Helen, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed which resulted in a premature lift-off and subsequent stall/mush. A factor to the accident was the fence. 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.