NTSB Factual Report

On June 29, 2018, about 0920 eastern daylight time, a Beech 35-B33, N9745Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Ocean City Municipal Airport (OXB), Berlin, Maryland. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. A flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was destined for a fuel stop in Dublin, Virginia, then continuing to Tullahoma, Tennessee.

The pilot stated he was instructed to climb to 3,000 ft, but the airplane had difficulty climbing. He made an emergency radio call that he was returning to the airport; however, the airplane was unable to fly to the runway, and the pilot performed a forced landing on a golf course. The pilot told first responders the engine lost all power. After landing there was a small postcrash fire in the engine compartment.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane where it came to rest, about 1/3 mile west of OXB. The left wing had leading edge damage and was canted upwards from midspan to the wingtip. The engine was partially separated from the airframe, and the landing gear was in the retracted position.

The four-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear equipped airplane was manufactured in 1963. It was powered by a Continental IO-470, 225-horsepower engine.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class airman medical certificate was issued on September 6, 2017, with the limitation, "Must wear corrective lenses."

At 0853, the weather conditions reported at OXB included, wind from 060° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 28°C, dew point 20°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of mercury.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.