# NTSB ATL99FA021: Beech BE-55B, N21MJ, Hampton, GA, November 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: November 18, 1998, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Hampton, GA - Coordinates: 33.379669, -84.279968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3797&lon=-84.2800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45337 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99FA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45337/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99FA021 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use the landing checklist that resulted in the wheels-up landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - gear extension - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had completed approximately one hour and forty-five minutes of training, and was returning to the local pattern at Tara Field. On final approach, the pilot executed S-turns to maintain separation from the other aircraft that was in the same traffic pattern. According to the pilot, 'The normal landing checklist was used up to the point of lowering the landing gear. However, due to the concerted effort to maintain the separation from the Cessna (another airplane in the traffic pattern), balance of the checklist was, obviously, not accomplished.' During the post-accident examination of the airframe, the landing gear transmission assembly showed a typical retraction position. The wheel examination also showed that the respective landing wheel was up and locked. The wreckage examination failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 18, 1998, at 1515 eastern standard time, a Beech BE-55B, N21MJ, landed with the wheels up, and burst into flames at Tara Field, in Hampton, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, with no flight plan filed. The two Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors were not injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The training flight departed Tara Field, in Hampton, Georgia, at 1320. According to the pilot, he had completed approximately one hour and forty-five minutes of training, and had returned to the local traffic pattern at Tara Field. On final approach, the pilot executed S-turns to maintain separation from the other airplane that was in the same traffic pattern. The pilot failed to notice that the landing gear warning light was on, and the airplane touched down about 100 feet from the approach end of runway 06. The pilot was able to turn off the battery master switch, the magneto switches, and the generators, but did not close the fuel shut-off. The airplane burst into flames and slid to a stop on the runway. According to the police report, a witness, located approximately 150 yards from the accident site, observed the airplane landed with the wheels up. Another witness, in a Cessna 172, was taxiing to takeoff on runway 06 when a pilot on the Unicom told him to clear the active runway. He stated that he looked out his right hand side window to see what was coming and saw the Baron sliding on its under side. He also stated that at first he did not see any fire, but sparks came from the airplane as it slid along on the runway surface. After the two occupants evacuated the airplane, it began to burn. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 65, is employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. He holds a Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. He holds a single engine land, multi engine land, helicopter, and glider ratings. He has a total of 250 hours of flying time in this airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on August 5, 1998, with limitations for six months. (See page 3 for more information) The second pilot, age 37, is employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. He holds a Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. He holds a single engine land, multi engine land, and helicopter ratings. He has a total of 20 hours of flying time in this aircraft. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on July 27, 1998, with no waivers and limitations. (See attachment Supplement E for more information) AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Aircraft Information is included in this report on page 2, under the section entitled "Aircraft Information". METEROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather information is included in this report on page 4, under the section entitled "Weather Information". WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane rested in the center of runway 06 approximately 2000 feet from the approach end. The examination also revealed that the center and cockpit sections of the airframe sustained extensive fire damage. During the post-accident examination of the airframe, the landing gear transmission assembly showed a retracted position. The wheel examination also showed that the respective landing wheel was up and locked. The wreckage examination failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The two FAA Inspectors were conducting a quarterly flight training in accordance with Federal Aircraft Management Program Handbook Order 4040.9 D. They were performing the Event Base Concurrency Training Program that is for Flight Standards Personnel only. During each quarter the Federal Aviation Administration personnel has to fly a variety of aircraft and execute different maneuvers to remain current. The 4040.9 D Training is a requirement for the respective position. According to the pilot, "The normal landing checklist was used up to the point of lowering the landing gear. However, due to the concerted effort to maintain the separation from the Cessna (another airplane in the traffic pattern), the balance of the checklist was, obviously, not accomplished." ## Aircraft - Registration: N21MJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech BE-55B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1508TC - Airframe hours: 12838 - Engines: Continental IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Robert L. West, doing business as FAA - Registered owner: Clarence Jeannette & Tom Elrod - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 21, 1998, 91 hours before - Departed: 4A7 - Airport: 4A7, Clayton County Airport, runway 6, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 12,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FFC, 13 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 19981118046989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981118046989A), Nov 18, 1998: Hampton, GA, No damage. (-23) The pilot in command (PIC) was conducting a no flaps approach in a Beech BE-55B, N21MJ, to runway 6 at tara field (4A7), in Hampton, Georgia on November… 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.