Baron 55/Cochise
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 5200; Flight Crew Type 80
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
While flying along at 4;500 FT in normal flight the right engine had a catastrophic failure. I only heard a loud bang and the plane shuddered one time. I reduced power and scanned the instruments for any signs of problems. Fuel; oil and alternators all showed good. RPM and manifold pressure were also OK. Then a large amount of oil spewed from the top of the right engine. I worried about oil catching fire from the exhaust and also running out of oil. I shut down the right engine and called the nearest Tower for landing instructions. I made an uneventful single engine landing. I then inspected the engine to find the connecting rod cap sitting on the outside of the engine. It had come through the top of the engine case. Examination showed only one bolt bent and broken the other bolt missing. The bearing did not spin in the rod. This leads me to believe the bolt was not properly torqued. The engine has 1;400 hours since factory overhaul.
The pilot of a Beechcraft Baron heard a loud bang and felt the plane shudder; observed oil from the top of the right engine; he then secured the engine and landed at a nearby airport.