# NTSB BFO91LA042: Beech P35, N1476G, Gilbertsville, KY, April 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1991, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Gilbertsville, KY
- Coordinates: 36.959293, -88.270851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9593&lon=-88.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11671/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILUE TO ENSURE THE GEAR WAS FULLY EXTENDED DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AFTER THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## 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 - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REALIZED HE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AFTER MEMPHIS CENTER ADVSIED HIM THAT THEY WERE LOSING HIS RADIO TRANSMISSIONS. HE DEVIATED TO KENTUCKY DAM AIRPORT. HE USED THE LANDING GEAR SWITCH TO LOWER THE GEAR AND HE FELT THE GEAR GO DOWN. HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH HE REALIZED THE LANDING GEAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE BECAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS, HE STILL ASSUMED THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY MECHANICALLY LOWERING THE GEAR AND CONFIRMING THAT IT WAS DOWN AND LOCKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1476G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH P35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-6928
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roger Hodges
- Registered owner: Business Flyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1990
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: C65, PLYMOUTH, IN
- Airport: M34, Kentucky Dam State Park, runway 27, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,727 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 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 19910403008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910403008259A), Apr 3, 1991: Beech P35BEECH, Gilbertsville, KY, Substantial damage. Lost electric power. Diverted. Used electric gear extension. Gear collapsed landing.

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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