# NTSB CHI88LA208: Beech C55, N19RE, Cahokia, IL, August 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1988, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Cahokia, IL
- Coordinates: 38.57072, -90.170043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5707&lon=-90.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA208

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear down and locked - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,gear warning system - unreliable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A MAINTENANCE TEST HOP AFTER ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE PILOT FAILED TO INSURE THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED BEFORE TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE GEAR HANDLE WAS PLACED IN THE GEAR DOWN POSITION, AND THAT NO GEAR WARNING HORN SOUNDED DURING THE GEAR UP LANDING. THE GEAR WAS EXAMINED AND CYCLED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY IN ALL PHASES OF OPERATION. GEAR POSITION INDICATOR LIGHTS ALSO FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, HOWEVER THE GEAR WARNING HORN WAS UNRELIABLE. THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DISTRACTED FROM PROCEDURES BY TRAFFIC AND THE PRESENCE OF THE MECHANIC/PILOT IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N19RE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C55
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-116
- Airframe hours: 4676
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Professional Flyers 19re, Inc.
- Registered owner: Professional Flyers 19re, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1988, 1 hours before
- Airport: CPS, St. Louis Downtown-Parks, runway 30L, 5,499 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,361 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CPS

## 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 19880815033499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880815033499A), Aug 15, 1988: Beech 95C55, Cahokia, IL, Substantial damage. Landed gear up on maintenance test flight reported iris open to check gear light down. Gear horn weak. No defects.

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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