# NTSB ATL87LA157: Beech A36, N1859A, Greenville, SC, June 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1987, 07:19 local (11:19 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, SC
- Location: 34.8479° N, 82.3500° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GREENVILLE DOWNTOWN (GMU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8479&lon=-82.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - unlocked (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG AFTER EXPERIENCING ACFT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND OBSERVING THE AMMETER INDICATE DISCHARGING. THE NOSE AND RT MAIN LDG GEAR COLLAPSED DURING ROLLOUT BRAKING. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE GEAR HAD EXTENDED PRIOR TO LDG USING THE NORMAL ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED SYSTEM, BUT THAT THE GEAR DOWN & LOCKED INDICATOR LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE; HE SUBSEQUENTLY ATTEMPTED TO MANUALLY EXTEND THE GEAR, BUT 'COULD NOT' TURN THE HANDCRANK TO DO SO. AFTER RECYCLING THE GEAR ELECTRICALLY, A TWR FLY-BY WAS MADE AND ATC ADVISED HIM THAT THE GEAR 'APPEARED' TO BE DOWN. A MECHANIC WHO ARRIVED ON SCENE SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED RPTD THAT THE PLT STATED HE HAD 'FORGOTTEN' TO USE THE MANUAL SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC LATER OPERATED THE HANDCRANK AND FOUND THAT IT APPEARED TO ROTATE NORMALLY. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT BY THE FAA REVEALED THAT THE GEAR DOWN & LOCKED INDICATING SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONAL. NO PROBLEMS WERE RPTD WITH THE REST OF THE ACFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1859A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1859A-2010-06-08), registration cancelled 2010-06-08, S/N E-1929, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E1929
- Airframe hours: 1941
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southeast Air,Inc.
- Registered owner: Southeast Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GMU, Greenville Downtown, runway 18, 5,393 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,339 total, 39 in this make and model, 1,177 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GMU

## 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 19870603018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870603018869A), Jun 3, 1987: Beech A36, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. The gear collapsed after landing. The pilot reported electrical problems but failed to use emergency extension.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
