DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 7500 FT. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD BANG AND VIBRATION. THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE WINDSCREEN COVERED IN OIL. UPON A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE THERE WAS MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE ENGINE CASE. THE LARGEST HOLE WAS BETWEEN CYLINDERS 1 AND 2. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE CASE JUST AFT OF THE CYLINDER BASE AT CYLINDER 4 AND 5. THE CONNECTING ROD WAS MISSING FROM CYLINDER 2 ALONG WITH THE PISTON WRIST PIN WHICH WAS FOUND LYING ON TOP OF CYLINDER 1. NO EVIDENCE OF CONNECTING ROD ATTACHED TO CRANKSHAFT ON CYLINDER 4. LEFT AND RIGHT MAGNETOS WERE BROKEN OFF THE ACCESSORY CASE MOUNTING POINTS. THE CAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME. THE EVENT WAS CONTAINED WITHIN THE UPPER ENGINE BAFFLING.
| Incident date | January 13, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Flight | AT7500 |
| Aircraft | BEECH A36 |
| Registration | N144TD |
| Affected area | Cockpit |
| Event type | Smoke |
| Verification | Official |
Sources
- FAA SDR: N144TD smoke report on 2025-01-13 (external.apic4e.faa.gov)
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