Accident Details
On October 8, 2008, at approximately 0645 central daylight time, a single-engine Beech A36 airplane, registration N703KP, was destroyed during a forced landing near Houston, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The 36-nautical mile cross-country flight originated from Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ) near Houston, Texas, at 0630, and was destined for David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) in Houston, Texas.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight, the propeller's revolutions per minute (RPM) involuntarily increased to approximately 2,900. After an attempt to reduce the RPM via the propeller governor failed, the pilot reduced the engine throttle, which successfully lowered the RPM. Seconds later, the engine began to make a "knocking noise" before experiencing a complete loss of engine power.
The pilot performed a forced landing to a rough field, resulting in a hard touchdown. After exiting the airplane unassisted, the aircraft caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames.
Post-Accident Examination
The airplane wreckage was recovered to Air Salvage of Dallas (ASOD) in Lancaster, Texas, for further examination. An examination of the engine revealed that the oil filter adapter housing contained a fracture that allowed the engine oil to escape.
According to the airplane's maintenance records, the airplane's last annual inspection was performed on September 26, 2008, at which time the oil filter was replaced. This was reportedly the first flight since that annual inspection.
Due to thermal damage to the oil filter adapter and oil filter, the reason for the fractured oil filter adapter could not be determined.