Accident Details
On October 28, 2021, about 1626 central daylight time, a Beech K35, registration N899RW, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Hammond, Louisiana. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that shortly after being cleared to land at Hammond Northshore Regional Airport (HDC), smoke filled the cockpit and the oil pressure gauge indicated zero. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot declared an emergency and turned toward a nearby interstate. During the descent, the engine lost total power. The airplane touched down between traffic, and as it slowed, the right wing struck a truck. The airplane swerved right, then left, exited the pavement, and came to rest nose down against the median fence. The right wing sustained substantial damage.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector observed oil along the bottom and right side of the airplane. The engine cowling was removed, and oil was noted inside the cowling and on engine components near the oil filter. The oil filter safety wire was fractured and separated, allowing the oil filter to rotate freely when turned by hand. A portion of the safety wire remained attached to the oil filter; the remainder was lost in high vegetation at the accident site.
Pilot's Account
The pilot conducted the most recent oil and oil filter change about one year prior. He estimated he had flown the airplane about 60 hours since the oil change. He stated he is not a mechanic but has performed maintenance and oil changes on this airplane for a "very long time." When asked about safety wire guidance, he said he was unaware of specific procedures and "just installed it."
Manufacturer and Regulatory Information
A representative from Textron Aviation reported that the aircraft manual does not contain safety wire procedures, considering it a basic knowledge item for a mechanic. In 2005, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) released a fact sheet titled Safety Wire, which states: "if you're doing owner-performed maintenance, make sure that you know what you're doing, and get a second set of eyes to look at your work after you're done."