# NTSB BFO87LA058: Beech D50C, N81CA, Somerville, VA, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Somerville, VA
- Location: 38.5218° N, 77.6094° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somerville, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5218&lon=-77.6094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - previous damage (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

THE NOSE GEAR PREMATURELY RETRACTED AND THE PROPS CONTACTED THE GRAVEL RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO TREES OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE GEAR RETRACTION. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR AND HAD TO MANUALLY HAND PUMP THE GEAR DOWN. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT INSPECTED AND LUBRICATED THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81CA-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N DH-260, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D50C
- Registry model: [Beech D50C](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d50c) (registry code 1152520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: DH260
- Airframe hours: 4597
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-C2D6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Hartwood Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Hartwood Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 16, 1986, 95 hours before
- Airport: 8W8, Hartwood, runway 35, 2,500 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,120 total, 305 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870823049159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823049159A), Aug 23, 1987: Beech D50C, Somerville, VA, Substantial damage. Nose gear retracted on takeoff roll continued but settled into trees. Had prior nose gear problem. Not checked out.

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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