# NTSB CEN09LA137: Beech A36, N8074P, Farmington, NM, January 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 17, 2009, 18:58 local (Jan 18, 2009, 01:58 UTC) - Place: Farmington, NM - Coordinates: 36.749122, -108.179138 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7491&lon=-108.1791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73258 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73258/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA137 ## Probable cause Collapse of the landing gear during landing due to the incorrect installation of the landing gear actuator. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to initiate the abnormal procedures checklist prior to landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/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 A36, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Beech A36, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis On the sixth touch-and-go of the flight, the private pilot did not receive the proper safe landing gear indications. During a low approach, the tower controller observed three landing gear extended. Satisfied with the visual inspection of the landing gear, the pilot did not initiate the abnormal procedures checklist and performed a landing. During the landing, the left main landing gear collapsed causing the airplane to go off of the side of the runway. The airplane came to a stop and the pilot egressed normally. An inspection revealed that a left main landing gear retraction rod was installed incorrectly several days prior to the accident flight. During the flight, the landing gear transmission/motor limit switch was damaged and rendered inoperative. ## Factual narrative On January 17, 2009, approximately 1900 mountain standard time, a Beech A36, N8074P, was substantially damaged after exiting the side of the runway 25 at the Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN), Farmington, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The local flight originated from FMN at 1850. According to a statement provided by the pilot, the accident occurred on the sixth landing. After positioning the gear handle in the "DOWN" position, the pilot stated that the gear sequence sounded normal, but was "faster than normal." The three position lights did not activate, so the pilot radioed the control tower and requested a visual inspection of the landing gear. After performing a low approach, the tower controller responded that the landing gear appeared to be down. The pilot proceeded to land on runway 25. During the flare, the pilot did not receive the gear warning horn and after touchdown the gear collapsed. The airplane went off the right side of the runway. The airplane to a stop and the pilot was able to egress normally. The airplane's firewall and right wing sustained substantial damage. A review of maintenance records revealed that on December 4, 2008, various maintenance action were perform on both main landing gears. An examination of the maintenance performed by an aircraft mechanic determined that the left main landing gear retract rod was installed incorrectly. The airplane accumulated 72.7 hours before the retraction rod failed on the accident flight. The landing gear transmission/motor limit switch was damaged and rendered inoperative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8074P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8074P-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N E-2733, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2733 - Airframe hours: 19200 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mesa Pilot Development - Registered owner: San Juan Pilot Training Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, December 4, 2008, 72.7 hours before - Departed: FMN, Farmington, NM - Destination: FMN, Farmington, NM - Airport: FMN, Four Corners Regional Airport, runway 25, 6,704 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; last flight review December 12, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 107 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.42 inHg - Observed at: FMN ## 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 20090117000509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090117000509A), Jan 17, 2009: Beech A36, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 17, 2009 at 1858 MST, the landing gear of N8074P, a Beech A36 bonanza, collapsed shortly after landing at the Farmington, new Mexico municipal… 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.