# NTSB CEN09CA307: Beech C35, N1945D, Englewood, CO, May 19, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2009, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO - Coordinates: 39.569999, -104.849166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5700&lon=-104.8492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73870/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73870 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA307 ## Probable cause The collapse of the landing gear due to the mechanic's failure to properly wire the landing gear squat switch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: land gear sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023297): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023297/cases.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023297/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Beech C35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1151508), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the airplane's main landing gear partially retracted and the nose landing gear collapsed completely. The airplane's left wing impacted the ground, resulting in structural damage. The airplane came to rest in an upright position on the runway and the pilot and the airplane's mechanic were able to exit the airplane unassisted. Following the accident, an examination of the landing gear revealed that the mechanic had wired the landing gear squat switch incorrectly, resulting in a retraction of the landing gear once the landing strut was extended. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff roll, the airplane's main landing gear partially retracted and the nose landing gear collapsed completely. The airplane's left wing impacted the ground, resulting in structural damage. The airplane came to rest in an upright position on the runway, and the pilot and the airplane's mechanic were able to exit the airplane unassisted. Following the accident, an examination of the landing gear revealed that the mechanic had wired the landing gear squat switch incorrectly; resulting in a retraction of the landing gear once the landing strut was extended. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1945D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1945D-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N D-3223, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C35 - Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-3223 - Airframe hours: 5591 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E-225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Schetgen Jeff E - Registered owner: Schetgen Jeff E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2008 - Departed: APA, Englewood, CO - Destination: FTG, Denver, CO - Airport: APA, Centennial Airport, runway 35L, 7,000 × 77 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 5,675 total, 1 in this make and model, 4,806 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: APA ## 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 20090519006319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090519006319A), May 19, 2009: Beech C35BEECH, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot started the takeoff roll and approx 1000 ft down the runway the nose gear collapsed and the mai gear partially retracted. An inspection of the… ## Other investigations on N1945D (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI67F0319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0319), Aug 26, 1966: Beech C35 (N1945D), Vienna, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73870. 514 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 514 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.