# NTSB CHI94LA264: Beech D17R, N35E, Sandwich, IL, August 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 1994, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Sandwich, IL - Coordinates: 41.639564, -88.619987 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6396&lon=-88.6200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9623 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9623/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA264 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to lower the landing gear. Factors related to the accident were the loss of engine rpm, for undetermined reasons, and the diverted attention of the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - precautionary landing - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Fire, landing ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REPORTED HE NOTICED A DROP IN RPM WHEN HE REDUCED POWER TO THE CRUISE SETTING. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT HE HAD JUST DEPARTED AND MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS DISTRACTED AND BECAME CONCERNED WITH THE ENGINE RPM, AND FAILED TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR. THE AIRPLANE SLID DOWN THE RUNWAY AND CAUGHT FIRE. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 1994, about 1130 central daylight time, a Beech D17R, N35E, was destroyed when it was consumed by fire after the pilot made a gear-up landing at the Woodlake Landing Airport, Sandwich, Illinois. The commercial pilot was not injured. The personal flight originated at Woodlake Landing with an intended destination of Mount Airy, North Carolina. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported he noticed a drop in engine rpm shortly after takeoff, and elected to return to the airport and make a precautionary landing. He could not maintain airspeed with the landing gear down so he raised it. In his statement he said he, "...was concerned with rpm status, was apparently distracted, lowered flaps on short final, and failed to lower the gear." The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage could find no reason for the loss of rpm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35E), registered now, S/N D-17R-167, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D17R - Registry model: [Beech D17R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17r) (registry code 1150534) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright 975E&F-2&3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-975e-f-2-3) (registry code 67015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-17R-167 - Airframe hours: 2090 - Engines: WRIGHT R-975-11 440 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter B. Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 31, 1994, 25 hours before - Departed: C48 - Destination: MWK, MOUNT AIRY, NC - Airport: C48, Woodlake Landing, runway 26, 2,988 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,570 total, 150 in this make and model, 10,300 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ARR, 12 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 19940803020059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940803020059A), Aug 3, 1994: Beech D17R, Sandwich, IL, Destroyed. Failed to extend gear for Landing. Aircraft destroyed by fire after gear up Landing. ## Other investigations on N35E (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 CHI73FEP07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEP07), Aug 4, 1972: Beech D17R (N35E), Milwaukee, WI, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.