Accident Overview
On June 30, 2019, at about 1134 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft C23 airplane, registration N24580, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ludlow, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight and Engine Failure
According to the pilot, the preflight inspection revealed no anomalies. One quart of oil was added, bringing the total to 7.5 quarts. While cruising at 6,000 feet above ground level, the pilot detected a faint smell of burning paint. Within 10 seconds, the oil pressure gauge dropped to zero and engine RPM decreased to about 2,100. A few seconds later, the engine lost power completely.
Emergency Landing
The pilot executed an emergency landing. Upon touchdown, the three landing gear separated, the engine cowling was forced aft, and the firewall sustained deformation at the mounting points. Oil residue was observed on the lower left side of the fuselage, and the dipstick showed no oil, though it was properly secured.
Post-Accident Examination
The engine had been recently overhauled and had accumulated approximately 4 hours of operating time since returning to service. A certified mechanic, under the oversight of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, examined the engine in Chino, California. The inspection found that the AN hose fitting on the oil cooler was loose, with oil residue present in that area. No other pre-impact mechanical anomalies were detected that could have precluded normal operation.