# NTSB CHI95LA109: Beech 58, N930DP, Grand Rapids, MI, March 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1995, 22:45 local (Mar 15, 1995, 03:45 UTC) - Place: Grand Rapids, MI - Location: 42.8808° N, 85.5228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GERALD R FORD INTL (GRR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8808&lon=-85.5228&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9858 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9858/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA109 ## Probable cause the failure of the landing gear bushing for the actuator worm gear which resulted in both the normal and emergency gear extension systems being inoperative. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative (cause) - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - inoperative (cause) - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED HE HEARD A 'SNAP' AT THE END OF THE GEAR RETRACTION SEQUENCE AFTER TAKING OFF. HE STATED ALL GEAR LIGHTS INDICATED THAT THE GEAR WAS STOWED PROPERLY. AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO EXTEND THE GEAR MANUALLY, BUT THERE WAS NO TENSION ON THE HANDCRANK. UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE PILOT LANDED GEAR UP. A POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR REVEALED A BUSHING (P/N 35- 810077-3) FOR THE ACTUATOR WORM GEAR HAD FRACTURED. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 1995, at 2245 eastern standard time, a Beech 58, N930DP, operated by Welch Aviation, Inc., Alpena, Michigan, was substantially damaged when it landed with its landing gear in the retracted position at Kent County International Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 135 cargo flight originated from Jackson, Michigan, at 1930. An IFR flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. After taking off from Jackson County-Reynolds Field Airport, the pilot stated he heard a "snap" at the end of the gear retraction sequence. He stated all gear lights indicated that the gear was stowed and the airplane was climbing normally, so he decided to continue the flight to Grand Rapids. As they approached Grand Rapids, the pilot stated that he was unable to extend the landing gear. "I then executed the landing gear manual extension checklist, but there was no tension on the handcrank and no indications on the lights," the pilot stated. "At this time I began to anticipate a gear up landing." For two and a half hours, the pilot and passenger circled the airport trying to correct the problem and to burn fuel in preparation for a possible gear up landing. The pilot was unable to extend the landing gear. At 2230, the pilot stated they began to prepare for a gear up landing. He followed the gear up landing checklist in the Pilot's Operating Handbook and landed the airplane gear up on Runway 26L. A postaccident investigation of the landing gear revealed a bushing, (P/N 35-810077-3), for the actuator worm gear fractured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N930DP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N930DP-1995-10-02), registration cancelled 1995-10-02, S/N TH729 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH-729 - Airframe hours: 6081 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C/-CB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Welch Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JXN, JACKSON, MI - Destination: GRR - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GRR, Kent County International, runway 26, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,133 total, 2,281 in this make and model, 4,027 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GRR 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.