Beech A36 accident near Nassawadox, Virginia, April 30, 2000
On April 30, 2000 at about 8:35 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N28JP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Nassawadox, Virginia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power caused by detonation of the #2 piston.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 30, 2000 · about 8:35 pm local time
- Place
- Nassawadox, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N28JP · registry record · serial E-621
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Approximately 50 minutes after departure, during a cross-country flight, the airplane's engine began to run rough. The pilot noticed the oil pressure had decreased, he heard a loud 'bang', and the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. He was unable to maintain the airplane's altitude, and performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the #2 piston revealed a hole from detonation on the side of the piston, which extended into the interior. Advisory Circular AC65-12A stated that detonation can burn a hole completely through a piston. Examination of the crankshaft revealed a lack of lubrication and severe overheating. The #5 and #6 connected rods had separated from the crankshaft, and their bearings were completely disintegrated.
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: 4,467 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,474 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 28, 1999; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,612 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MQI Manteo NC at 8:35 pm
- Destination: 33N Dover DE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:40 pm from MFV, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.