On August 14, 1995, a Beech 58 (registration N168CG) operated by Rene J. Nicol was involved in an aviation accident near Mapleton, ME. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot inadvertently shut down the right engine and feathered the propeller after a loss of power in the left engine, and he failed to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and collision with the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a night climb, a witness heard engine noise cease, then observed the airplane descending nose-down in a left spin. Impact occurred after tree contact. Examination revealed left engine connecting rod failures leading to oil starvation.
Accident Overview
A pilot initiated a night departure and began climbing to cruise altitude when a witness reported hearing the engine(s) operating normally, followed by silence. The witness then observed the airplane descending and rotating in a nose-down attitude. The airplane descended through trees while in a left spin and subsequently impacted the ground.
Post-Impact Examination
An examination of the wreckage revealed that both propellers were feathered and the landing gear was retracted. Inspection of the left engine disclosed that the number six and number five connecting rods had failed, and the number four connecting rod showed evidence of overheating. The evidence indicated that the number six rod failed first, allowing oil starvation and subsequent failure of the number five connecting rod.
What happened in the 14 Aug 1995 Beech 58 accident near Mapleton, ME?
During a night climb, a witness heard engine noise cease, then observed the airplane descending nose-down in a left spin. Impact occurred after tree contact. Examination revealed left engine connecting rod failures leading to oil starvation.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Aug 1995 involved a Beech 58, registration N168CG, operated by Rene J. Nicol, at Mapleton, ME.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot inadvertently shut down the right engine and feathered the propeller after a loss of power in the left engine, and he failed to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and collision with the ground. A factor relating to the accident was failure of the number six and number…
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…