# NTSB CHI91LA227: Aero Commander 500B, N120EL, Hutchinson, KS, July 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1991, 07:12 local (12:12 UTC)
- Place: Hutchinson, KS
- Coordinates: 38.059783, -97.909492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0598&lon=-97.9095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA227

## Probable cause

THE LANDING GEAR HANDLE WAS PLACED IN THE GEAR UP POSTION PREMATURELY RESULTING IN A GEAR RETRACTION DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE PROPER PROCEDURES WERE NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - gear retraction - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE INADVERTENTLY PLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR IN THE 'GEAR UP' POSITION PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.  DURING THE GROUND RUN THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N120EL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 500B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1312-147
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Central Air-Southwest
- Destination: DDC, DODGE CITY, KS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HUT, Hutchinson, runway 35, 4,251 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,706 total, 1,482 in this make and model, 2,191 as pilot in command, 258 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: HUT, 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 19910729030519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910729030519A), Jul 29, 1991: Gulstm 500B, Hutchinson, KS, Substantial damage. Inadvertently placed gear lever in up position on ground. Gear collapsed when nose gear lifted on takeoff 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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