Incident
On October 1, 2016, about 0925 central daylight time, a Beech C23 airplane, registration N9704L, was destroyed after impacting trees and terrain during final approach to Taylor Municipal Airport (T74), Taylor, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Hybird, Inc., Livingston, Texas, under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from McCampbell-Porter Airport (KTFP), Ingleside, Texas, with a destination of T74.
The pilot reported to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that the engine lost power when the airplane was half a mile from runway 35, necessitating a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees, resulting in both wings separating at the wing roots. The fuselage impacted the ground and came to rest upright about 20 feet from the trees. A post-crash fire ensued. The pilot helped the passenger exit the aircraft and then walked to a nearby rural residence.
Wreckage Examination
FAA inspectors examined the wreckage at the accident site on October 4, 2016. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The wreckage was retained for further examination.
Engine Examination
On October 14, 2016, the engine and airplane were examined at Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas. The examination revealed that many engine accessories were damaged or destroyed by the post-crash fire. The crankshaft was hand-rotated at the flange. Thumb suction and compression were obtained on all cylinders except the number 2 cylinder. As the engine was rotated through 300°, it locked and could not be turned further. The accessory housing and propeller were then removed, after which the crankshaft could be rotated through a full 360° with no obstruction. Further examination identified that the obstruction was caused by damage to the Bendix starter, which interfered with the starter ring gear support. Valve train and crankshaft continuity was verified, and accessory gears were observed rotating. All cylinders were examined with no defects noted. The engine's top spark plugs had been removed at the accident site, and only three were present during the examination; none could be associated with any specific cylinder. The bottom spark plugs were observed to be Normal-Worn when compared to the Champion Check-A-Plug card and exhibited signatures consistent with normal combustion.
The engine was overhauled on January 29, 1991, with no case change recorded.
During the examination, considerable debris was noted in the fuel strainer screen, and the fuel strainer bowl was extensively corroded.