Accident Overview
On July 23, 2008, at 1008 mountain daylight time, a Beech 35-C33A, registration N7965M, was substantially damaged when the engine lost power and the airplane landed short of runway 29 at Vance Brand Municipal Airport (LMO), Longmont, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed and activated. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The cross-country flight originated from Wendover (ENV), Nevada, at approximately 0750.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot's accident report, he descended from 17,000 feet under partial power and entered a 45-degree entry for a left downwind to runway 29. The landing gear was extended and the pre-landing checklist was completed. On final approach with 20 degrees of flaps extended, the pilot noticed he was slightly below the glidepath and added power to compensate. The engine did not respond, forcing him to land in a barley field.
Damage and Examination
The forced landing resulted in damage to the nose and main landing gear attach points, a buckled firewall, and dents and punctures to both wings. The airplane and engine were later examined at the facilities of Beegles Aircraft Service, Greeley, Colorado. Power train continuity was noted, and thumb compression was present on all cylinders. The throttle arm was found fractured in two places and was sent to the NTSB's metallurgical laboratory for analysis. The laboratory report stated that fracture features generally showed tear ridges and dimples intermixed with casting voids consistent with overstress fracture, with no evidence of preexisting cracking such as fatigue features.