On February 23, 1995, a Beech 60 (registration N100BL) was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Rosa, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENGINE'S TURBOCHARGER RESULTING IN OIL STARVATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #5 CONNECTING ROD WHICH PENETRATED THE CRANKCASE, AND THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE'S TURBOCHARGER RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ON BOTH ENGINES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane experienced a right engine failure while climbing through FL230 in dark night VMC, followed by a left engine failure. The pilot attempted restarts and performed a forced landing to rough terrain, resulting in structural damage.
Event Description
While climbing through flight level 230 in dark night visual meteorological conditions, the right engine lost power. Seconds after the pilot initiated an emergency descent, the left engine also lost power. The pilot attempted several unsuccessful restarts on both engines until reaching 15,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), at which point he feathered the right engine propeller. Continued attempts to restart the left engine using various combinations of cross-feed, mixture, and throttle were not successful. The pilot then executed a forced landing to rough terrain; the airplane came to rest one-third mile west of an airport. The airplane sustained structural damage during the emergency landing.
Engine Examination
Examination of the right engine revealed that the #5 connecting rod failed due to oil starvation and penetrated the crankcase. Additionally, the turbocharger turbine wheel was found separated from its shaft. Examination of the left engine also revealed a failed turbocharger turbine wheel shaft. Teardown of both turbocharger assemblies revealed evidence of excessively high turbine inlet temperatures and that both turbochargers had unapproved parts installed.
What happened in the 23 Feb 1995 Beech 60 accident near Santa Rosa, NM?
An airplane experienced a right engine failure while climbing through FL230 in dark night VMC, followed by a left engine failure. The pilot attempted restarts and performed a forced landing to rough terrain, resulting in structural damage.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Feb 1995 involved a Beech 60, registration N100BL, at Santa Rosa, NM.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENGINE'S TURBOCHARGER RESULTING IN OIL STARVATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #5 CONNECTING ROD WHICH PENETRATED THE CRANKCASE, AND THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE'S TURBOCHARGER RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ON BOTH ENGINES. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING,…
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