Probable cause
An engine overpressure condition that resulted in oil getting on the exhaust and producing smoke which entered the cockpit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's obscured vision due to smoke.
NTSB analysis
During a departure on a cross-country flight the private pilot noticed an oily smoke entering the airplane's cockpit. As the smoke began to accumulate, the pilot's vision was obscured. The pilot landed on the only runway he could see through the smoke. The airplane touched down with the left wing low and the airplane departed the side of the runway. An overpressure condition in the engine's crankcase resulted in oil being driven out of the crankcase and onto the exhaust system. Smoke entered the cockpit through the heater duct system and gaps in the firewall.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA083 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 25, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Santa Fe Municipal Airport (KSAF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech B35
- N-number
- N8828A
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.