Introduction
On April 6, 2021, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36, registration N18394, was substantially damaged in an accident near Arcadia, Florida. The pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Narrative
According to the pilot, after takeoff he reduced engine speed to 2,300 rpm at an altitude of about 800 ft mean sea level (msl). Several minutes later, he noticed the engine rpm had risen to 2,500 and the oil pressure was zero. He attempted to return to the airport, but the engine “locked and the propeller stopped turning.” The airplane was at an altitude of 1,700 ft msl, and the pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field.
Damage and On-Site Inspection
The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site reported that the airplane’s right wing and cowling were substantially damaged. Oil streaking was present on the left side of the fuselage.
Engine History and Examination
According to the engine logbook, all six cylinders were replaced about 8 months before the accident. The airplane had accumulated about 61 flight hours between that maintenance and the accident.
Examination of the engine revealed it was seized. No holes were found in the crankcase, and the oil filter remained attached to the engine. The No. 4 spark plug was oily; the others were in normal wear condition when compared to a Champion Spark Aviation Check-A-Plug chart AV-27. Both magnetos were removed, actuated with an electric drill, and spark was produced at all terminal leads. The valve covers were removed, and valve movement was not observed on Nos. 2, 3, and 6. Propeller movement was limited. Nos. 5 and 6 cylinders would not move.
The engine was not made available for an additional follow-up examination.