N9754Y

On November 17, 2001, about 1125 eastern standard time, a Beech P35, N9754Y, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, incurred a loss of engine power, while in cruise flight, about 12 miles south of Belle Glade, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot received serious injuries, and one passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Pembroke Pines, Florida, the same day, about 1100.

The pilot stated that he estimated that he had been airborne for about 20 minutes when he looked at the JPI indicator on the instrument panel and noted that the oil temperature was 89 degrees and the oil pressure was zero. He had been receiving visual flight rules (VFR) flight following, and was talking to Miami Air Traffic Control Center, so he then told them that he was having engine problems and will attempt to make an emergency landing on State Road 84. According to the pilot, as he maneuvered the aircraft into a turn to proceed to State Road 84, there was a loud bang and the engine ceased operating. He said he then saw a dirt road about 15 miles southwest of State Road 84, so he prepared for a forced landing to the dirt road instead. The approach and touchdown on the dirt road were "perfect," but he said he had not seen a pick-up truck that had been parked on the dirt road prior to touchdown, and as the rollout continued the airplane's left wing tip impacted the truck, and the airplane veered off the road into a ditch, incurring damage.

On November 17, 2001, an FAA Inspector responded to the accident scene, and stated that he saw clean oil on the bottom of the fuselage, but added that he was unable to determine from where the oil had come. The following day, when salvage personnel returned to the accident scene to retrieve the wreckage for a detailed examination, they found that the aircraft had burned. The airplane engine compartment and aft, to include the cabin and inboard two thirds of the airplane wings had incurred fire damage. Only the wing tips and empennage had not incurred fire damage.

On December 5, 2001, the NTSB along with a representative from Teledyne Continental Motors, examined the accident airplane's engine. The examination revealed the existence of fire damage. In addition, the examination showed that there was an opening in the engine case at the No. 4 cylinder position, and the No. 4 connecting rod was protruding through the opening. Both the No. 4 and No 5 connecting rods had separated from the crankshaft , and both connecting rods as well as all main bearings exhibited signatures consistent with oil starvation.