N5240C

On April 3, 2021, about 0730 central daylight time, a Beech B35 airplane, N5240C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pearland, Texas. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he conducted a thorough preflight and runup with no anomalies noted. The pilot performed a short-field takeoff from a grass runway and lowered the nose of the airplane to gain airspeed while in ground effect. The pilot reported that there was a difference in the engine sound, and the engine did not have the power it normally had. The engine speed was at “2,100 rpm and dropping.” The pilot was unable to climb the airplane above the powerlines in his flight path and he decided to fly under them. While maneuvering the airplane to land in a field, the right wing struck a tree, separating the wing from the fuselage. The pilot landed the airplane on its belly, and it skidded across the grass before it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

The pilot stated that he purchased the airplane in October 2020 and that the airplane had undergone extensive maintenance to troubleshoot excessive engine rpm issues. The pilot noted that the airplane flew uneventfully for the first time on the day before the accident. A mechanic had examined the airplane just before the accident flight and found no anomalies.

An examination of the engine after the accident revealed a crack between the No. 1 cylinder head and bore. According to the maintenance records, on October 1, 2016, all 6 cylinders were removed and replaced with serviceable cylinders and new piston rings. The cylinders had 324.3 hours since overhaul at the time of installation. It is estimated the cylinders accumulated about 60 hours between the time of installation and the accident.