Accident Overview
On July 16, 2025, at 1402 central standard time, a Beech K35, registration N5353E, was substantially damaged during an accident near Sylacauga, Alabama. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pre-Accident Maintenance
The aircraft was equipped with a remanufactured engine that had been installed approximately 30 hours prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the remanufactured engine had experienced maintenance issues, including problems with the magnetos, spark plug fouling, and abnormal cylinder temperatures on the number four cylinder. Maintenance personnel subsequently replaced all spark plugs with new ones and performed engine runups, which indicated normal operation.
Flight and Emergency
About one hour after departure, the pilot reported that the number one cylinder head temperature dropped below 300 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by a high exhaust gas temperature. The pilot contacted air traffic control and attempted to divert to Northeast Alabama Regional Airport (GAD) in Gadsden, Alabama. The engine then began to run rough, and the pilot cycled the ignition switch, but the roughness persisted. He declared an emergency and received radar vectors to Merkel Field Sylacauga Municipal Airport (SCD) in Sylacauga, Alabama.
Forced Landing and Damage
The airplane could not maintain altitude, and the pilot conducted a forced landing into wooded terrain approximately 1 mile west of SCD. The aircraft came to rest inverted. Both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage sustained substantial damage.
Post-Accident Actions
The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.