What happened
On January 25, 2025, at approximately 12:35 EST, a Beech V35B, registration N2UZ, was destroyed following an accident near Charlottesville, Virginia. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
According to air traffic control data, the pilot contacted the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) tower at 12:30 and declared an emergency, reporting that the aircraft was 10 miles south of the airport at 5,500 feet MSL due to a total loss of engine power. While the controller offered runway 3, the pilot reported at 12:33 that the aircraft was 3 to 4 miles south of the airport and could not glide to the airport. The pilot indicated an intention to land in a field near a river, and the controller notified first responders of the intended location. No further radio contact was established.
ADS-B data showed the aircraft approached a field approximately 1,800 feet long at roughly 100 knots on a magnetic course of 310°. The aircraft overflew the field and struck trees at the end of the landing area.
A debris path was identified at the end of the snow-covered field, starting with a portion of the inboard left wing and fuel bladder embedded in a tree 3 feet above the ground. The debris path spanned approximately 175 feet. The wreckage included outboard sections of both wings, a section of wing suspended in a tree, and the left main landing gear. The main wreckage came to rest inverted on a north heading. A postcrash fire consumed much of the main wreckage.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft revealed the left main landing gear had separated, while the right main landing gear was in a retracted position. The nose landing gear remained attached within the gear well. The flaps were found in a position between 0 and 5 degrees, and the elevator trim tab was in a 5-degree nose-up position.
An examination of the engine revealed that the propeller blades were intact and showed no rotational damage. However, the No. 2 cylinder had impact damage, and the No. 4 cylinder valve cover was melted. The propeller could not be rotated by hand. Investigators found that only one of the three nuts securing the oil filter mount was present, leaving the mount loose against the housing. Upon removal of the oil sump, only residual oil was found. A crack was discovered in the engine case near the camshaft gear. Borescope inspections identified metal fragments near a crankshaft counterweight, as well as metal fragments within the oil sump and the oil filter element.