On May 29, 2002, a Beech V35A (registration N45RG) operated by Skyworld Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Martinsburg, WV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fatigue fracture of the crankshaft cheek between the number 2 main journal and number 2 rod journal, accompanied by severe fretting at the number 2 main bearing bosses and fragmentation of the number 2 main bearing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft registered N45RG. Photo: Jeroen Stroes Aviation Photography from Netherlands / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An airplane experienced partial engine power loss en route, leading to a forced landing during which the left wing struck a fence post. Post-accident examination revealed a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft and severe fretting of main bearing bosses.
Accident Details
During an en route flight, the airplane’s engine lost partial power. The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient airspeed or altitude and decided to execute a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the left wing of the airplane struck a fence post.
Engine Examination
A thorough examination of the engine was conducted. The crankcase halves showed severe fretting at the number 2 main bearing bosses. The number 2 main bearing was found broken into pieces, with fragments observed in the oil sump. Examination of the crankshaft revealed a fatigue fracture through the crank cheek between the number 2 main journal and the number 2 rod journal. The fracture surface and the journal surface were heat-tinted, and there was evidence of rotational scoring.
Maintenance History
According to the engine logbook, the crankcase through bolts had been torqued approximately 772 hours prior to the accident.
Probable cause
Fatigue fracture of the crankshaft cheek between the number 2 main journal and number 2 rod journal, accompanied by severe fretting at the number 2 main bearing bosses and fragmentation of the number 2 main bearing.
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