# NTSB SEA95LA050: Beech S-35, N8828M, Wolf Point, MT, February 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1995, 17:53 local (Feb 11, 1995, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Wolf Point, MT
- Coordinates: 48.279167, -105.660858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2792&lon=-105.6609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA050

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO LOST OIL PRESSURE AND A FAILED CONNECTING ROD.  FACTORS INCLUDE FENCE POSTS AND DUSK LIGHTING CONDITIONS WHICH LIMITED VISIBILITY.

## 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 - normal
  - fluid,oil - no pressure (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT NOTED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, WHICH HE MONITORED.  THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGHLY AFTER ONE TO THREE MINUTES, AND HE ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CHOSE A LEVEL SPOT FOR THE FORCED LANDING, BUT IT WAS GETTING DARK AND HE DIDN'T SEE A BARBED WIRE FENCE ACROSS THE LANDING SITE.  HE DID NOT SEE THE FENCE POSTS UNTIL FLARING FOR A LANDING.  THE RIGHT WING STRUCK TWO FENCE POSTS, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT A CONNECTING ROD FAILED.  THE ENGINE HAD FIVE HOURS SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL.

## Factual narrative

On February 10, 1995, approximately 1753 mountain standard time, a Beech S-35, N8828M, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while en route to Wolf Point, Montana.  The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was uninjured.  The flight, which was a non-scheduled cargo flight operated under 14CFR135, had departed Glasgow, Montana about ten minutes earlier.  There was no fire and no report of an ELT actuating.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the flight.

The pilot noted a loss of oil pressure, but the engine continued to run smoothly.  About one to three minutes after the loss of oil pressure, the engine started knocking and the pilot shut it down.  An inspection by FAA inspectors noted that the number six connecting rod had failed.  The engine had five hours since major overhaul.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8828M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8828M-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N D-7349, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S-35
- Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7349
- Airframe hours: 9590
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA10B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Richland Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1995, 1 hours before
- Departed: GGW, GLASGOW, MT
- Destination: OLF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,691 total, 476 in this make and model, 3,398 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLF

## 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 19950210030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950210030809A), Feb 10, 1995: Beech S35, Wolf Point, MT, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Noted no oil pressure engine began knocking. Shut down crash landed. Connecting rod broken.

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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