Accident Details
On December 25, 2009, at approximately 0930 mountain standard time, a Beech B35, registration N8828A, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing at Santa Fe Municipal Airport (KSAF) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was originating from the airport.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, while departing KSAF on runway 33, smoke began to enter the cockpit. The pilot reported that visibility became obscured and he elected to land on the nearest visible runway, which was runway 02. During the landing on runway 02, the airplane touched down with the left wing low and subsequently departed the side of the runway. An on-site examination of the airplane was not conducted before it was transported to the pilot's hangar.
Cause of Smoke
The pilot stated that an overpressure in the crankcase caused oil to be forced onto the exhaust system. The resulting smoke entered the cockpit through the heater duct system and gaps in the firewall. The pilot had the heater duct fully open to compensate for the ambient temperature. The smoke was described by the pilot as oil-based and diminished considerably when engine power was reduced. No other anomalies with the airplane or engine were reported.