WOLF POINT, MT, USA
N8828M
BEECH S-35
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.
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.
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.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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