Accident Description
On April 22, 2024, at 1715 eastern daylight time, a Beech B24R, registration N53EM, sustained substantial damage in an accident at Flying W Airport (N14) in Lumberton Township, New Jersey. The pilot, who was also the owner, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that he was taking the airplane for an annual inspection at another airport. After performing a preflight inspection, starting the engine, and checking the magnetos, he departed. Once airborne, the airplane did not climb well and began to settle back toward the ground with the landing gear still extended.
A witness stated that the airplane’s engine was “sputtering” as it tried to climb and that there was a significant drop in rpm. The witness observed the airplane subsequently “stall” and impact a field off the end of the runway.
Examination Findings
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the lower fuselage had sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine disclosed low compression on the No. 2 cylinder. A borescope inspection of the cylinder showed carbon build-up. The intake valve was not sealing, and the valve seat appeared to be cracked.
Maintenance History
A review of the maintenance records showed that the last annual inspection on the engine was completed on May 14, 2014, at a total time of 1,469.2 hours since major overhaul. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued about 16 hours since that inspection.
Per Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.409(a), an aircraft must undergo an annual maintenance inspection every 12 calendar months to be legal to operate. 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix D, outlines the scope and detail of items that must be checked during the annual inspection of reciprocating engine aircraft.