# NTSB ATL92LA004: Beech F33A, N37MC, Franklin, NC, October 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1991, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, NC
- Coordinates: 35.180259, -83.379722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1803&lon=-83.3797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR RESULTING IN A GEAR UP CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY, AND THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, go-around (vfr)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE FLARE, THE PROPELLER BLADES BEGAN TO CONTACT THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE HAD NOT EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO THE APPROACH.  HE EXECUTED A GO AROUND WHILE LOWERING THE GEAR. FLAPS REMAINED FULL DOWN.  HE WAS UNABLE TO TAKE OFF STRAIGHT AHEAD DUE TO RISING TERRAIN, SO HE EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TOWARDS THE AIRPORT. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A NEARBY PLOWED FIELD.  ON LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE CROSSED A CREEK BED AND COLLIDED WITH THE WEST BANK OF THE CREEK. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE GEAR WARNING CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS TRIPPED.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE RUNWAY REVEALED NUMEROUS PROPELLER SLASH MARKS.  THE PROPELLER BLADE TIPS WERE SCORED AND CURLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37MC), registered now, S/N CE-1258, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-1258
- Airframe hours: 520
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hill, Robert J.
- Registered owner: Hill, Robert J.
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1991, 370 hours before
- Departed: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC
- Airport: 1A5, Macon County, runway 25, 3,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 520 total, 332 in this make and model, 436 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 44 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 19911011045929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911011045929A), Oct 11, 1991: Beech F33A, Franklin, NC, Substantial damage. Prop and belly hit runway on gear up landing. Began go around. Landed in open field.

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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