N8578M

On December 3, 2002, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Beech 35-B33, N8578M, registered to and operated by an individual, struck wires, and then impacted with several vehicles during a forced landing on a street in Gainesville, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight had originated from Gainsville, Georga, at 1510.

According to the pilot, he departed Gainesville, as the airplane was climbing, and had reached an altitude of 2,500 mean sea level, the engine began making a "loud noise and lost power." The pilot turned the airplane back towards the airport, but due to his location from the airport, and because he could not maintain altitude, he elected to perform a forced landing on a street. As the airplane approached the street it struck wires landed in the street, and struck several parked cars.

An engine test run was performed on the engine from N8578M, under the supervision of the FAA. According to the FAA inspector's statement, the engine was mounted in a holding fixture, which in turn was mounted to a large trailer. A test club (propeller) was installed. The engine was rotated through with the starter for the purpose of checking magneto operation. The magnetos "operated properly" during this test. Several attempts were made to start the engine, and they were unsuccessful. The engine ran briefly, but would not sustain itself. A check of the fuel system was performed and fuel was noted to be present, in pressures and quantities sufficient enough to run the engine. The engine was started again, and ran without hesitation. Oil pressure came up to 55 psi, and fuel pressure stabilized at 5.5 psi. The throttle was cycled from idle to 2,000 rpm without any difficulties noted. Individual magneto checks were performed satisfactorily. Total run time for this test was about 4 minutes. No discrepancies were found during the engine run.

The airplane's logbooks where returned to Mr. Mark Thompson, assistant Vice President for claims, on behalf of the owner's insurance company on January 22, 2003.