# NTSB DEN82DA142: Beechcraft C-45H, N444Q, Aurora, CO, July 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1982, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Coordinates: 39.74007, -104.780799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7401&lon=-104.7808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - corroded (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - other (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BY USING EITHER THE NORMAL OR EMERGENCY SYSTEMS. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO EXTEND THE GEAR, HE ELECTED TO LAND WITH IT CONFIGURED IN A FREE-FALL POSITION. HE SHUT DOWN AND FEATHERED BOTH ENGINES ON FINAL APPROACH. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE WHEELS WERE FORCED UP FROM THEIR FREE-FALL POSITION AND INTO THE WHEEL WELLS, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LANDING GEAR SLIDE TUBES, SLIDES, AND ACTUATING CHAINS CONTAINED AN EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE, DIRT, AND GRIT. ALSO, AN ACCUMULATION OF RUST WAS FOUND ON THE SLIDE TUBES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444Q-2014-10-09), registration cancelled 2014-10-09, S/N AF-62 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECHCRAFT C-45H
- Registry model: [Beech TC-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-tc-45h) (registry code 1151020) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AF62
- Airframe hours: 6050
- Engines: P & W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James E. Slocum
- Registered owner: Eugene O'Brien
- Departed: 3CO5, STRAUSBURG, CO
- Destination: F28, EL RENO, OK
- Airport: OIV, Columbine, runway 25, 2,500 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,249 total, 564 in this make and model, 4,134 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 203 °F

## 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 19820725038719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820725038719A), Jul 25, 1982: Beech C45H, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot claims he attempted to lower gear manually, investigation revealed inadequate maintenance.

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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