# NTSB CHI97LA151: Beech 35, N144GM, Liberty, MO, May 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Liberty, MO - Coordinates: 39.239654, -94.409523 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2397&lon=-94.4095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10581 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10581/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA151 ## Probable cause retraction of the nose gear for undetermined reason(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed ## Analysis The pilot reported that the taxi out and run up were normal before the planned departure. He said that at approximately 65 miles per hour, he heard a loud bang, which was followed by oil on the airplane's windshield and the nose gear collapsing. The pilot reported that he was sure the landing gear selector was in the down position before he attempted to takeoff, and that the manual indicator near the nose wheel area was in agreement with the selector switch. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 1997, at 1000 central daylight time (cdt) a Beech BE35, N144GM, was substantially damaged when the airplane's landing gear collapsed during takeoff at the Liberty Airport, Liberty, Missouri. This was the airplane's first flight following an annual inspection. The airline transport rated pilot was uninjured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was interviewed by the investigator in charge (IIC) on June 3, 1997 by telephone. The pilot reported that the taxi out and run up were normal before the planned departure. He reported that at approximately 65 miles per hour he lifted the airplane off the runway. The airplane then encountered a gust of wind and it settled toward the runway at which time he heard a loud bang, the engine stopped and oil filled the windshield. The pilot reported that he was sure the landing gear selector was in the down position before takeoff, and that the manual indicator near the nose wheel area was in agreement with the selector switch. The manual indicator in the nose wheel area is not interconnected with the retraction switch position. An FAA Inspector examined the accident airplane on June 2, 1997. The inspector reported that all gear legs of the airplane showed signs of damage and the damage was not limited to the nose, or the nose gear area. The inspector reported that one of the checks that is accomplished during the annual inspection is a manual gear extension. The inspector reported that the normal sequence used is to put the gear up and down normally to check operation of the aircraft systems, and then to retract the gear using the aircraft system followed by a manual extension using the hand crank located behind the front right seat of the airplane. The IIC requested a copy of the last annual inspection from the pilot. The IIC also asked the pilot if any adjustments had been done on the landing gear during the last annual. The pilot said he was unsure if any landing gear adjustments had been completed. As of June 30, 1997, no documentation of landing gear problems had been received by the IIC from the pilot of the accident airplane. The IIC examined the maintenance manual airworthiness directives (AD's)and similar flight manuals as the accident airplane. One manual reports that the squat switch is located on the right landing gear and normally activates when the right oleo strut is 3/8 of an inch before maximum extension. A review of the AD's issued for this airplane did not reveal any problems of inadvertent landing gear retraction. Two airplane flight manuals of similar model aircraft were reviewed by the IIC. Both manuals reported that the normal speed for lift off is 65 miles per hour. The airplane's nose area and integral fuselage engine mount were bent and crushed. The main gear doors were bent and scratched. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N144GM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N144GM), registered now, S/N D-7010, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 - Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D7010 - Airframe hours: 4390 - Engines: Continental IO-470-N1 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen R. Dickerson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1997, 0 hours before - Departed: MO10 - Destination: MO10 - Airport: MO10, Liberty Roosterville, runway 36, 2,780 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,222 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 8,200 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCI, 15 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 19970513018499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970513018499A), May 13, 1997: Beech P35BEECH, Liberty, MO, Substantial damage. Indicates premature gear retraction on takeoff. Report loud bang oil on windshield. 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.