# NTSB CEN15CA011: Beech 35-B33, N718CD, Effingham, IL, October 11, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2014, 17:44 local (22:44 UTC) - Place: Effingham, IL - Coordinates: 39.070556, -88.533607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0706&lon=-88.5336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90254/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90254 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified; cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200/cases.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 35-B33, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151406), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that 30 minutes after departure at 6,000 feet mean sea level, the airplane's door opened in flight. He stated that the temperature dropped, papers went flying about the cabin, and the noise was 'overwhelming.' The passenger tried to hold the door shut, but could not secured it. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport for landing. The pilot stated that he "simply forgot to put the gear down." The airplane touched down and skidded on its belly resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's stringers, formers, and main spar carry through. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that 30 minutes after departure at 6,000 feet mean sea level, the airplane's door opened in flight. He stated that the temperature dropped, papers went flying about the cabin, and the noise was 'overwhelming.' The passenger tried to hold the door shut, but could not secured it. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport for landing. The pilot stated that he "simply forgot to put the gear down." The airplane touched down and skidded on its belly resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's stringers, formers, and main spar carry through. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N718CD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N718CD), registered now, S/N CD-718 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 35-B33 - Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-718 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3630 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bussing Robert C - Registered owner: Bussing Robert C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 2014, 4 hours before - Departed: EVV, Evansville, IN - Destination: SPI, Springfield, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 1H2, Effingham County Memorial, runway 01, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 805 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: SPI, 62 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 20141011017719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141011017719A), Oct 11, 2014: Beech 35-B33, Effingham, IL, Substantial damage. During the flight the door "popped open" and the aircraft diverted to Effingham, IL (1H2). The aircraft made a visual approach and landed gear up. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90254. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot and Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 830 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane on Runway (item 3, .PDF, 276 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20on%20Runway-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Belly Damage (item 4, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Belly%20Damage-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. --- 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.