# NTSB CHI73FEM38: Beech B35, N5240C, Grand Rapids, MI, January 20, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 20, 1973
- Place: Grand Rapids, MI · GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Location: 42.9634° N, 85.6681° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Rapids, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9634&lon=-85.6681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI73FEM38
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEM38

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0473  73/1/20    GRAND RAPIDS,MICH   BEECH B35           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 41, 45 TOTAL
        TIME - 1819                    N5240C              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 21 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - KENT COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          GRAND RAPIDS,MICH           LOCAL                        GRAND RAPIDS,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GEAR RETRACTED                                           TAXI: FROM LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADVERTENTLY RETRACTED GEAR
        REMARKS- PLT FLIPPED SWITCH TO TURN ON LDG LGTS-GEAR RETRACTED.LGT SWITCH NEXT TO GR SWITCH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5240C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5240C), registered now, S/N D-2631 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B35
- Registry model: [Beech B35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b35) (registry code 1151506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Kent County

## 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 19730120003409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730120003409A), Jan 20, 1973: Beech B35, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Plt flipped switch to turn on ldg lgts-gear retracted. Lgt switch next to gr switch.

## Other investigations on N5240C (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 CEN21LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA176), Apr 3, 2021: Beech B35 (N5240C), Pearland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to a crack in the No. 1 cylinder for unknown reasons.

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.
