# NTSB CHI90LA116: Beech E 55, N17577, New Richmond, WI, April 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1990, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: New Richmond, WI
- Coordinates: 45.119377, -92.529678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1194&lon=-92.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA116

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE LANDING GEAR MECHANISM DURING THE LANDING ROLL, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF THE LANDING GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS DURING THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN; HIS PASSENGER AND A GROUND WITNESS CONFIRMED THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED DURING THE FINAL APPROACH AND TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE VISUALLY VERIFIED THAT THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, BUT SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE LEFT WING STARTED LOWERING AS THE LEFT MAIN AND NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION; THE FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE 'ENTIRE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM WAS IN A TRANSIT MODE....DURING THE LANDING ROLL....' THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MIGHT HAVE INADVERTENTLY RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR, BUT HE DID NOT REMEMBER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17577](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17577), registered now, S/N TE-1091, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech E 55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-1091
- Airframe hours: 1837
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Drury, Colin J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1989, 28 hours before
- Airport: RNH, New Richmond Municipal, runway 13, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,746 total, 173 in this make and model, 2,557 as pilot in command, 182 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 33 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 19900422014689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900422014689A), Apr 22, 1990: Beech E55A, New Richmond, WI, Substantial damage. Gear retracted during landing roll.

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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