# NTSB SEA08LA033: Beech A36, N435M, El Centro, CA, November 14, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 2007, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: El Centro, CA - Coordinates: 32.786666, -115.721664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7867&lon=-115.7217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc., Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67143/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA033 ## Probable cause The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the #2 cylinder through bolts. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for landing. ## Analysis During the initial climb through 5,500 feet, the engine had a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently landed in an alfalfa field, during which the nose gear collapsed, and both wings sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the #2 through bolts and deck studs were loose, allowing the #2 bearing half to shift and cover the oil transfer tubes on the bearing support. This sequence resulted in the #2 main bearing failure due to oil starvation, and subsequent separation of the #2 connecting rod, which resulted in the loss of engine power. The airplane's #2 cylinder had been replaced 24 hours prior to the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On November 14, 2007, about 1550 Pacific standard time, a Beech A36, N435M, sustained substantial damage following a forced landing as result of a loss of engine power while climbing to cruise altitude near El Centro, California. The certificated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Calexico Airport (CXL), Calexico, California, about 1540, and was destined for the Whiteman Airport (WHP), Los Angeles, California. The pilot reported in a written statement that about 5 minutes after departing CXL and climbing through 5,500 feet mean sea level, the [engine] temperature began to increase, followed by "... the engine making a loud noise and we noticed oil on the windshield. That is when the engine quit." The pilot stated that after determining that he could not make the nearest airport, he elected to land in an alfalfa field. The pilot reported that after touching down and rolling out the airplane's nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and there was no fire. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that both wings had sustained substantial damage. It was also reported by a licensed FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic that the engine's number 2 cylinder had failed. A post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the break-away torque of the #2 cylinder through bolts and deck studs were found loose. It was also observed that the bolts on the 7th studs were found loose and were not installed with the conical seated nuts. Additionally, the right side #2 main bearing half was damaged and had shifted aft approximately 3/8th of an inch, covering the oil transfer tubes on the bearing support. It was also observed that the #2 connecting rod had separated from the crankshaft and exhibited thermal and impact damage. The #2 connecting rod journal exhibited thermal damage and displaced material. A review of maintenance records indicated that the airplane underwent its most recent annual inspection on August 3, 2007, at a tach time of 749.5 hours. On October 20, 2007, maintenance records revealed that the airplane's #2 cylinder was replaced due to low compression at a tach time of 808.6 hours. The pilot reported having flown the airplane 24 hours since the #2 cylinder had been changed. ## 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, climb - to cruise - installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - engine assembly,crankcase - undertorqued - engine assembly,cylinder - undertorqued - fluid,oil - starvation - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N435M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N435M), registered now, S/N E-2726, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2726 - Airframe hours: 5931.3 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank Gonzalez - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2007, 24 hours before - Departed: CXL, Calexico, CA - Destination: WHP, Whiteman Airpor, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 439 total, 258 in this make and model, 273 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: IPL, 8 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 20071114828879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071114828879A), Nov 14, 2007: Beech A36, Imperial, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On November 14, 2007 N434M, a Beech aircraft model A-36, landed off airport following a loss of power event. No injuries to the 3 occupants and minor… 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.