Beech A36TC accident near Sonora, California, June 2, 1996
On June 2, 1996 at about 6:40 pm local time, a Beech A36TC, registered N214MS, was destroyed in an accident near Sonora, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the number 1 connecting rod due to oil starvation caused by inadequate bearing crush.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 1996 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Sonora, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36TC · all A36TCs on the register
- Registration
- N214MS · registry record · serial EA-64
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight was level at 17,500 feet msl when 40 minutes into the flight the engine began to run extremely rough. This lasted for about 10 to 15 seconds when the engine abruptly stopped. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the number 1 connecting rod failed causing a catastrophic failure of the engine. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the number 1 main bearing oil supply hole had been blocked from supplying oil to the number 1 connecting rod. Examination of the number 1 main bearing halves revealed that there were operational movements indicated on a bearing half. Evidence was found to indicate the half had fractured/disintegrated and blocked the oil supply hole. The number 1 connecting rod then failed from oil starvation.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,465 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 3,335 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-UB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RNO Reno NV at 5:50 pm
- Destination: WJF Lancaster CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Observation at 11:47 am from STK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.