Beech B24R accident near Bellefontaine, Ohio, March 15, 2009
On March 15, 2009 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Beech B24R, registered N9348S, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Bellefontaine, Ohio (Bellefontaine Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate torque of the Number 3 cylinder rod bolts by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a failure of the connecting rod and a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 15, 2009 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bellefontaine, Ohio · Bellefontaine Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B24R · all B24Rs on the register
- Registration
- N9348S · registry record · serial MC-350
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight the pilot noticed abnormal engine noises and a partial loss of engine oil pressure. He immediately diverted to the nearest airport, but during the turn to base leg the engine oil pressure dropped to zero pounds per square inch and the engine seized. The airplane was not in a position to reach the runway threshold or to clear the airport perimeter fence. During the landing rollout the airplane impacted the airport perimeter fence, damaging both wings and the nose landing gear. An engine teardown examination revealed that the Number 3 cylinder connecting rod assembly had separated from its corresponding crankshaft journal. The journal surface was blue in color, consistent with exposure to excessive heat and lack of lubricant. The oil suction screen was obstructed with bearing material. The Number 3 cylinder connecting rod cap was found jammed beneath the counterbalance weight. One of the two connecting rod stretch bolts remained intact. The corresponding nut was found finger tight. The measured torque for the Number 2 cylinder connecting rod bolts were significantly less than the manufacturer's specification. The engine had accumulated a total of 3,799 hours since new and 492.7 hours since its last overhaul in 1999. The engine was last inspected 23.9 hours before the accident occurred.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise)
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Failure
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 587 hours in all; 274 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 587 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 21, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,799 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 25, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I74 Urbana OH at 7:45 pm
- Destination: 5G7 Bluffton OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KOAH, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN09LA209.