# NTSB CHI92LA072: Beech A36, N15PM, Griffith, IN, January 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1992, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.520141, -87.42073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5201&lon=-87.4207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA072

## Probable cause

PREMATURE GEAR RETRACTION DURING TAKEOFF ROLL BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - gear retraction - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TAKE OFFS AND LANDINGS, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO POSITIVE LIFT OFF. THE ACFT SETTLED ON THE RUNWAY AND SLID OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15PM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15PM), registered now, S/N E-1016, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1016
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dalsanto, James A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 05C, Griffith, runway 27, 4,013 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 676 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: GYY, 6 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 19920111000599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920111000599A), Jan 11, 1992: Beech A36, Griffith, IN, Substantial damage. Raised gear prematurely on touch and go. Gear collapsed. Slid off end of runway.

## Other investigations on N15PM (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 ERA25LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA226), Jun 10, 2025: Beech A36 (N15PM), Murfreesboro, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s mismanagement of available fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of total engine power.

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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