# NTSB DEN91LA009: Beech 95-C55, N2757T, Watkins, CO, October 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1990, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.750698, -104.600852 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7507&lon=-104.6009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA009

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT RETRACTION OF THE LANDING GEAR. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - gear retraction - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - runway
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, company/operator management

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SECOND TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING ON RUNWAY 35.  HE SAID HE LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR AND OBSERVED A GREEN LIGHT (SAFE) INDICATION. THE AIRPLANE LANDED WHEELS-UP ON THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE COCKPIT DISCLOSED THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN THE UP POSITION AND THE FLAP CONTROL WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE PILOT SAID THE TOUCHDOWN WAS SMOOTH AND HE RAISED THE FLAPS AND 'BEGAN TO CLEAN UP THE AIRPLANE' FOR TAKEOFF. HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED WHEN HE BEGAN TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND 'THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO BECOME AIRBORNE AGAIN.' ACCORDING TO A BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION SPOKESMAN, THE 95-C55 BARON HAS A SQUAT SWITCH ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR THAT PREVENTS INADVERTENT GEAR RETRACTION SO LONG AS WEIGHT IS APPLIED TO THE STRUTS. WHEN THE WEIGHT IS REMOVED, THE GEAR WILL RETRACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2757T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2757T-1991-02-28), registration cancelled 1991-02-28, S/N TE361 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-C55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-C55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-c55) (registry code 1152708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-361
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C/CB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Denver Air Center
- Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 35, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 418 total, 8 in this make and model, 352 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BKF, 10 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 19901018046139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901018046139A), Oct 18, 1990: Beech 95C55, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Inadvertently raised gear lever instead of flaps after landing. Aircraft raised off limit switches. Gear retracted.

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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