Accident Overview
On January 22, 2018, at 0845 central standard time, a Beech A36, registration N3600A, suffered a total loss of engine power during climb after departing from Abilene Regional Airport (ABI), Abilene, Texas. The private pilot executed a forced landing to a field near Abilene, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained minor damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight on a visual flight rules flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from ABI at 0835 and was destined to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (SRR), Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that upon leveling off at cruise altitude, a severe vibration emanated from the engine compartment, followed by a sound of the engine “coming apart.” Oil covered the windshield, and smoke entered the cockpit. Unable to return to ABI due to distance, the pilot attempted a forced landing to Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas. However, insufficient altitude prevented reaching Dyess AFB. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field approximately one mile southwest of Dyess AFB with the landing gear and flaps retracted.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination revealed the engine was intact with all accessories attached. A large hole was observed in the left crankcase half over the number two-cylinder attachment point, and a small hole in the right crankcase half over the number five-cylinder attachment point. Cylinders two, four, and six were Continental cylinders with chrome markings; cylinders one, three, and five were ECI cylinders. The number 2 main bearing had shifted in the bearing saddle, cutting off oil supply to the number 2 rod cap bearing. The number 2 connecting rod separated from the connecting rod journal on the crankshaft. The number 2 rod journal was very dry and partly melted, and the rod cap bearing was melted with most of it found in the oil sump.
Maintenance History
The engine logbook contained an entry dated January 23, 2015, at a tachometer time of 4,173 hours, for removal and replacement of the number two cylinder. The most recent engine disassembly as part of an annual inspection was dated February 12, 2016, at a tachometer time of 4,299.6 hours and 1,796.0 hours since overhaul. That entry noted, “#4 and #6 cylinders were removed due to exhaust leaks.” The mechanic who performed that annual inspection also conducted the most recent annual on February 9, 2017, at a tachometer time of 4,442.7 hours. At the time of the accident, the tachometer indicated 4,501.0 hours.