# NTSB CEN10CA152: Beech A35, N541B, Marfa, TX, March 11, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 10, 2010, 17:30 local (Mar 11, 2010, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Marfa, TX - Coordinates: 30.370832, -104.017501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3708&lon=-104.0175&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 75480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75480/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75480 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA152 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. ## 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 A35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/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 A35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech A35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech A35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing flare the pilot realized that his landing gear had not been extended when the "step" contacted the runway. He initiated a go-around; however, the airplane did not climb as expected. The pilot turned the airplane to the right in an attempt to land on runway 21. When it was apparent that the pilot would not make it to runway 21 he extended the landing gear, at which time the airplane descended rapidly and impacted terrain. The left main landing gear and nose landing gear collapsed. A postimpact examination revealed that the left wing spar and ribs were damaged. Further examination revealed that the propeller had impacted the runway during the first landing attempt. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to a telephone conversation with the pilot, during the landing flare, he realized that his landing gear had not been extended when the "step" contacted the runway. He initiated a go-around; however, the airplane did not climb as expected. The pilot turned the airplane to the right in an attempt to land on runway 21. When it was apparent that the pilot would not make it to runway 21, he extended the landing gear at which time the airplane descended rapidly and impacted terrain. The left main landing gear and nose landing gear collapsed. A post impact examination revealed that the left wing spar and ribs were damaged. Further examination revealed that the propeller had impacted the runway during the first landing attempt. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N541B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N541B-2010-06-30), registration cancelled 2010-06-30, S/N D-1559, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A35 - Registry model: [Beech A35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a35) (registry code 1151504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-1559 - Airframe hours: 7965 - Engines: CONT MOTOR E185 SERIES 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2010 - Departed: MAF, Midland, TX - Destination: KMRF, Marfa, TX - Airport: KMRF, Marfa Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 18,276 total, 3,330 in this make and model, 17,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 24 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: KMRF, 1 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 20100310029059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100310029059A), Mar 10, 2010: Beech A35, Marfa, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot and single occupant of N541B, was on a VFR flight from midland, Texas (maf) to Marfa, Texas (mrf). The pilot executed a straight in approach for… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75480. 253 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327322&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.