# NTSB ATL87LA131: Beech 95-B55, N5824S, Greenville, SC, April 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1987, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, SC
- Location: 34.8369° N, 82.3630° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenville, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8369&lon=-82.3630&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA131

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE FORGOT TO PUT THE LDG GEAR DOWN. HE STATED THAT HE WAS PRACTICIING A SHORT FIELD LDG WITH THE POWER SET AT ABOUT 15 IN. HG MAP. HE NOTED THAT THE GEAR WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION UNLESS THE POWER IS AT 12 IN. HG MAP OR BELOW. THE PLT EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD PERFORMED A 'GUMP' (GAS, UNDERCARRIAGE, MIXTURE, PROPS) CHECK PRIOR TO LDG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5824S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5824S-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N TC-832, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC832
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470 L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William F. Sherman
- Registered owner: William F. Sherman Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: MLJ, MILLEDGEVILLE, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 7A1, Donaldson Center, runway 22, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 11 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870427011649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870427011649A), Apr 27, 1987: Beech 95B55, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed wheels up. The pilot was practicing soft field landings and forgot to lower the gear.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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