Casualties unknown

Forced Landing After Engine Power Loss Leads to Impact with Wooded Area (N6FN)

Bloomington, IN, US

On February 27, 2000, a Beech BE-35V (registration N6FN) was involved in an aviation accident near Bloomington, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the improper major overhaul of the engine by company maintenance personnel. The tree was a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and impacted wooded terrain during a forced landing. Examination found unauthorized sealant on cylinder bases and a step at a thru bolt parting surface.

Accident Details

The airplane impacted a wooded area while executing a forced landing. The forced landing followed a total loss of engine power.

Engine Examination

After the accident, an examination of the engine was conducted. The engine was a Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-520-BA, serial number 249748-R. The examination revealed that sealant had been applied to the cylinder bases and the cylinder base O-rings. Additionally, a step was observed at one of the thru bolt parting surfaces located at the cylinder base. The TCM overhaul manual, service bulletin, and service letter do not specify the use of sealant on the cylinder bases and cylinder base O-rings.

Maintenance History

Engine logbook records indicate that Blue Ash Aircraft Services performed a major overhaul of the engine on March 24, 1998, at a tachometer time of 2,930.0 hours. The same maintenance facility also performed a 100-hour inspection of the airplane on November 2, 1999, at a tachometer time of 3,668 hours. The tachometer reading at the accident site was 3,766.02 hours. The engine had accumulated 836 hours since the major overhaul.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X20465. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.