# NTSB BFO90FA053: Beech 36, N2003A, Gaithersburg, MD, June 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1990, 10:18 local (14:18 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.170093, -77.180923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1701&lon=-77.1809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA053

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR, WHICH RESULTED IN A WHEELS UP LANDING; HIS IMPROPER DECISION TO ATTEMPT A GO AROUND (ABORTED LANDING) AFTER THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE RUNWAY; AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB AFTER LIFTOFF.

## 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 - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - climb - not possible
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES NOTICED THE AIRPLANE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 14 WITH THE GEAR UP.  SOME OF THE WITNESSES RADIOED THE PILOT TO ALERT HIM OF THE GEAR POSITION, BUT HE DID NOT RESPOND.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED GEAR UP, BUT SOON AFTERWARDS, IT BECAME AIRBORNE, CLIMBED ABOUT 30 FEET, AND DESCENDED IN A LEFT BANK. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND EAST OF THE RUNWAY AND CARTWHEELED; IT CAME TO A STOP ON AN ADJACENT TAXIWAY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WERE ABOUT 60 PROPELLER SLASH MARKS ON THE RUNWAY.  AN AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR ACTUATOR REVEALED IT WAS IN A TRANSIT POSITION, WHICH WAS ABOUT THREE TURNS OF THE MANUAL GEAR HANDLE FROM THE FULL UP (RETRACTED) POSITION OF THE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2003A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2003A-1996-04-26), registration cancelled 1996-04-26, S/N E166 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 36
- Registry model: [Beech 36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-36) (registry code 1151602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-166
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA8 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tri-H Corporation
- Registered owner: Tri-H Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1989
- Departed: RIC, RICHMOND, VA
- Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County Airpark, runway 14, 4,196 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,299 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,221 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 999 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 19900602018119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900602018119A), Jun 2, 1990: Beech 36BEECH, Gaithersburg, MD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Noted landing gear up. Radio alert no answer. Bellied in ballooned stalled and cartwheeled on second impact.

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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