N7697N

On February 25, 2025, about 1345 eastern standard time, a Beech E33, N7697N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lenior, North Carolina. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, the airplane’s annual inspection was completed about 3.7 hours before the accident. During the annual inspection, the No. 6 cylinder was replaced due to low compression. The pilot subsequently departed from the Anson County Airport (AFP), Wadesboro, North Carolina, to return to his home airport, the Lake Cumberland Regional Airport (SME), Somerset, Kentucky. About 45 minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of 6,500 ft, the pilot noticed the engine rpm increase. The pilot reduced the rpm with the propeller controller and about 5 minutes later, the rpm increased again. The pilot tried to reduce the rpm again with the propeller control but this time it would not adjust. He decided to not continue the flight over mountainous terrain, and land at the closest airport, which was the Hickory Regional Airport (HKY), Hickory, North Carolina. Approximately 5 minutes later, the engine experienced a catastrophic failure, with engine parts exiting from the top of the engine cowling. The pilot glided the airplane to Lower Creek Airport (NC27), Lenoir, North Carolina; however, the airplane was a little too high and fast, and landed long on the grass runway. The airplane skidded off the end of the runway, and then contacted a fence, substantially damaging the leading edges of both wings.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.