Baron 58/58TC
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10.3; Flight Crew Total 15090.5; Flight Crew Type 3949.9
Confusion; Workload; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
I was on an IFR flight plan at a cruise altitude of 7;000 feet. Everything was normal on run up; take off; climb and level off. I had just leveled off and had completed the cruise check. All gauges indicated normal and in the green with no indication of a problem. After about 5-10 minutes at cruise; the right engine started to cough/sputter. At first I thought it was water passing thru the fuel line. Engine instruments still showed normal. The engine didn't show any improvement; so I moved the fixture control forward for more fuel. It did not help; so I moved the boost pump to the on position. The engine continued to get rougher in operation. I then advised ATC that we had an engine problem and needed the closest airport available. At this time; I feathered the engine. ATC advised that K39 (St Claire) or UUV (Sullivan) was the closest. I asked for K39 and considered UUV because it had a better and longer runway plus I thought K39 was closed. I started to ask for UUV when ATC indicated UUV was 8 miles away. At about the same time; ATC also indicated we were over K39 so I decided to stay with the original plan and land at K39. During descent; I advised ATC I was trying to restart the right engine but would not restart. Descent was continued thru an overcast layer estimated to be around 3;000 feet with vectors to the airport. Got a visual on the airport and runway. Descent was continued to airport visually with runway in site and landed without further incident. We lost radio contact with ATC around 2;000 feet.
A Baron 58 pilot experienced a rough running engine while at cruise at 7000 feet. He feathered the engine and diverted to the nearest airport. The approach and landing were uneventful.