Beech V35B accident near Delaware City, Delaware, January 26, 2003
On January 26, 2003 at about 10:36 pm local time, a Beech V35B, registered N6432X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Delaware City, Delaware (New Castle County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The mechanic's improper engine overhaul. A factor was the night condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 26, 2003 · about 10:36 pm local time
- Place
- Delaware City, Delaware · New Castle County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35B · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N6432X · no longer on the register · serial D-10398
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was in cruise flight at 4000 feet msl, at night, when the pilot reported a partial loss of engine power. Air traffic control provided a vector to the nearest airport, about 8 miles north of the airplane's position. About 7 miles from the airport, at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, the pilot reported that he was not going to reach the airport. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain about 6 miles from the airport. Examination of the wreckage revealed an approximate 4-inch diameter hole on the top section of the crankcase, near the number two cylinder. Further examination of the engine at the manufacturer's facility revealed that a silicone sealant consistent with RTV was observed along mating surfaces where the cylinders attached to the case. The substance was also found on the through-bolts. The number two cylinder was found backed-off from the case. The engine case exhibited marks consistent with rubbing between the number two cylinder and the case. The number two piston ring had shattered. The number two piston skirt exhibited impact marks consistent with the skirt striking the case. The number two connecting rod exhibited elongated holes, consistent with an overstress failure, and the rod cap was not recovered. The top of the case exhibited two holes in the vicinity of the magnetos. A mechanic stated that he completed a top overhaul of the airplane engine about 3 months prior to the accident. The overhaul included the installation of six new cylinders. The mechanic reported that he added Permatex RTV (part number 27B) to the cylinder bases during engine assembly. The mechanic further stated that he had referred the manufacturer's service information letter regarding sealants, but it did not list RTV either pro or con. The mechanic stated that he did not refer to the manufacturer's service bulletin SB96-7B. That bulletin stated that the use of sealants or lubricants other than those specified by the manufacturer on mating threads and between mating surfaces can cause incorrect torque application and subsequent engine damage or failure.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,960 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,750 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2002; 200 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: LOM Philadelphia PA at 10:10 pm
- Destination: CAE Columbia SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 01, 7,012 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,900 ft; scat at 2,300 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from ILG, 6 miles away
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.