# NTSB CHI92FA290: Beech B55, N557T, Joliet, IL, September 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1992, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Joliet, IL
- Coordinates: 41.520133, -88.120414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5201&lon=-88.1204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA290

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT WHEELS UP LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE PLACED THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR IN THE DOWN POSITION WHILE ON APPROACH TO LAND AND RECEIVED A GREEN LIGHT. HE DID NOT RECALL HEARING A GEAR WARNING HORN OR A CHANGE IN AIRFLOW, OR FEELING A PITCH CHANGE, AFTER PLACING THE SELECTOR DOWN. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED WHEELS UP AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON THE ASPHALT RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE LANDING GEAR AND ITS SYSTEMS DISCOVERED NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N557T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N557T-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N TC-620, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 620
- Airframe hours: 4285
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. F. Aviation
- Registered owner: Sittig, Daryl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1992, 15 hours before
- Airport: JOT, Joliet Park District, runway 12, 2,970 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 22 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 19920923038519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920923038519A), Sep 23, 1992: Beech 95B55, Joliet, IL, Substantial damage. Landed gear up. Fire erupted. Put out by fire department. No defects found in gear system.

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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