Beech P35 accident near Westerly, Rhode Island, June 18, 2016
On June 18, 2016 at about 4:35 pm local time, a 1962 Beech P35, registered N112MB, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Westerly, Rhode Island (Westerly State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance of the oil filter adapter, which resulted in an oil leak and subsequent oil starvation to the engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2016 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Westerly, Rhode Island · Westerly State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech P35 NO SERIES, built 1962 · all P35s on the register
- Registration
- N112MB · registry record · serial D-6945
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight over open water, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the private pilot ditched the airplane. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the oil filter adapter was loose and the fiber gasket was torn and partially extruded. Because of these conditions, oil leaked from the engine, which led to the failure of the Nos. 2 and 4 connecting rods due to a lack of oil lubrication. The oil filter adapter was not original equipment on the engine; it was installed under a supplemental type certificate which required that the oil filter adapter fiber gasket be replaced anytime the oil filter adapter was removed from the engine and reinstalled and every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever occurred first. Maintenance records indicated that the oil filter adapter was installed about 4 1/2 years before the accident. No other maintenance entries or records pertaining to the inspection of the fiber gasket was noted during the 4 years before the accident, and no record concerning the installation of a new oil filter adapter fiber gasket was located.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 664 hours in all; 222 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 525 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,186 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 29, 2015; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,128 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors Inc. IO-470-N21B (piston); 109 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FOK Westhampton Beach NY at 4:30 pm
- Destination: TAN Taunton MA
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from WST, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on May 16, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Maintenance Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Oil Filter Adapter and Continued Maintenance Guidance | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Engine Examination Report W/photos | PDF, 17 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.