Aircraft: Beech A35, registration: N8598A
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On July 17, 2003, at 1800 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A35, N8598A, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power followed by a forced landing to the shoreline near Freeland, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Kent, Washington, about 35 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight he noted a rise in oil temperature and a drop in oil pressure. The engine subsequently lost power and a forced landing was initiated. The pilot landed the aircraft gear up on the shoreline.

The pilot, who is also a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, reported that the left side of the fuselage was wrinkled.