# NTSB CEN09CA474: Beech H-18, N87711, Dayton, OH, July 24, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 24, 2009, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.58889, -84.224723
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5889&lon=-84.2247&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA474
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74396/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74396
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA474

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to lock the tailwheel during landing resulting in the loss of directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech H-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151012), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech H-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=1151012), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech H-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151012), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Beech H-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151012), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech H-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airplane veered to the left and off the runway after the tailwheel touched down during landing. The pilot stated the tailwheel lock pin did not remain in the locked position. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing skin became wrinkled when it contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. Inspection of the tailwheel by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The airplane veered to the left and off runway 02 (5,000 feet by 100 feet, grooved asphalt) at the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport, Dayton, Ohio, after the tail wheel touched down during landing. The pilot stated the tail wheel lock pin did not remain in the locked position. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing skin became wrinkled when it contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. Inspection of the tail wheel by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87711](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87711), registered now, S/N BA-650 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H-18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-650
- Airframe hours: 6780
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney 985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Pilot
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2009
- Departed: Harrisonburg, VA
- Destination: MGY, Dayton, OH
- Airport: MGY, Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport, runway 02, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 2,022 total, 279 in this make and model, 1,809 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Observed at: MGY

## 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 20090724016779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090724016779A), Jul 24, 2009: Beech H18, Dayton, OH, Substantial damage. After touchdown, onto runway 2, at Dayton Wright Brothers airport (mgy), the aircraft began veering left and then started a left hand skid. It then exited the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74396. 684 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.

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