N2339Z

On May 4, 1999, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-23, N2339Z, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 09 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Roscommon County Airport, Houghton Lake, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's written statement, he had noticed an oil accumulation on the cowling after a previous flight and determined that the source of the oil leak was from the number 2 cylinder. The pilot, with the assistance from an A&P mechanic, removed the number 2 cylinder and replaced it with a new cylinder, piston, and piston rings. The pilot reported that he ran-up the engine for a period of 5-10 minutes after the completion of the engine maintenance. After the run-up, the pilot noticed that there was a, "...slight weep from the rocker box gasket...," and the pilot retorqued the rocker box cover.

The following day the pilot decided to make a local flight with the airplane. The pilot stated that the pre-flight, engine start, taxi, and initial run-up were unremarkable. The pilot departed from runway 09, with the takeoff roll and liftoff completed without incident. The pilot reported that at an altitude of 100-feet above ground level the engine, "...became very labored, and [the] rpm began to decrease." The pilot reported that the, "Oil pressure was in the center of the green band (about 75 psi), oil temp was still low due to just starting the engine, fuel pressure was high in the green band (about 5 psi), and the fuel boost was still on."

The pilot stated that he began a turn back to the airport with the intention of landing on runway 18 (2,200 feet by 100 feet, dry/turf). The pilot reported that during the turn back to the airport, "...the engine stopped completely." The pilot stated that he, "...reported this [the engine failure] to UNICOM and tried to keep the nose up. The stall warning alarm just barely started to sound as I started into the trees."

During the post-accident investigation, no maintenance sign-off was found for the replacement of the number 2 cylinder, piston, and piston rings. In an interview with the A&P mechanic who assisted the pilot with the engine maintenance, the A&P mechanic stated that he had not inspected and/or released the engine back to service prior to the accident flight.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspection of the wreckage failed to reveal any apparent pre-accident anomalies with the aircraft or its engine.