Bonanza 35
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 1075; Flight Crew Type 875
Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
I was operating VFR eastbound at 9;500 MSL; Flight Following by Center to ZZZ for annual inspection of my aircraft. I was enroute approx.4.5 hours and beginning my descent to ZZZ; field elev 850'. I announced ZZZ in sight and was told to maintain VFR and current assigned squawk. A minute or two after reducing power the engine began to run rough and lost power: Manifold pressure dropped to 15' then bounced between that and local pressure; about 30'. All other engine indications were normal except CHTs for #2 & #3 cylinders which dropped to 0. I immediately switched tanks; then switched to another tank without effect; made a mixture sweep from lean to rich then back out; tried reducing throttle without any change and returned controls to their original positions. Airspeed decayed from approx. 140 kts to 110; Center asked if I intended landing ZZZ. I said yes and that I had an 'engine issue.' There was no suitable landing spot; I estimated my rate of descent and possible glide distance and continued to ZZZ. I announced landing Runway XX but was still at 4;500- 5;000 ft. on arrival and made a circling approach away from populated areas to Runway XY. I cancelled [Runway] XX; announced [Runway] XY and made a steep visual approach from 5 miles out. As I reduced power the engine quit; I glided down to the runway and coasted to a stop without incident. I was met by Maintenance who towed me to their shop. I called ATC's landline as requested to let them know arrival and landing were successful with no injury or damage to the plane. Later examination found exhaust valves 2 and 3 were stuck; caused by varnish buildup from 100LL AVGAS.I believe a forced landing at dusk from that altitude in open country might not be successful and my decision to continue to a nearby destination was correct: The engine had run smoothly up until the moment it faltered; was still making power thus increasing my time aloft; oil pressure was constant so I elected to let it keep me airborne. I had a familiar field in sight and had briefed for a possible dead stick event; there was no other traffic in the area. Maintenance on the aircraft is excellent and current; it is operated according to book numbers. The engine malfunction appears unavoidable.
BE-35 pilot reported an engine failure resulting in a glide landing at intended airport.