# NTSB DFW05CA122: Beech BE-55, N6037W, Midland, TX, May 17, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 17, 2005, 15:06 local (20:06 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.942499, -102.201667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2017&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Lubbock, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA122

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear which resulted in a gear-up landing.  A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to follow the checklist.

## Sequence of events

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

- Wheels up landing, landing
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The 3,729-hour private pilot failed to follow the airplane's Normal Procedures-Before Landing checklist, which resulted in a gear-up landing.  Additionally, maintenance personnel, who responded to the accident and assisted in recovering the airplane, reported that the landing gear handle was found in the "up" position and when battery power was applied to lower the landing gear, the landing gear warning horn actuated.

## Factual narrative

On May 17, 2005, at 1506 central standard time, a Beech BE 55 twin-engine airplane, N6037W, sustained substantial damage, during a gear-up landing while landing at the Midland International Airport (MAF), near Midland, Texas.  The private pilot/owner, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed maintenance personnel, who responded to the accident and assisted in recovering the airplane from the runway.  The maintenance personnel reported that the landing gear handle was found in the "up" position and when battery power was applied to lower the landing gear, the landing gear warning horn actuated.  Examination of the lower fuselage revealed structural damage to the wing spar.

When asked how this accident could have been prevented the pilot said, "I put my hand on [the] gear down [handle] and it stays there till I see 3 lites."

The airplane manufacturer requires that the pilot extend the landing gear as per the Normal Procedures-Before Landing checklist.

At 1453, weather at the airport was reported as wind from 180 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 16 knots, 10 miles visibility, and clear skies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6037W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6037W), registered now, S/N TC-2238, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech BE-55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-2238
- Engines: Continental IO-470 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rudolph A. Berg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MAF, Midland, TX
- Destination: Midland, TX
- Airport: MAF, Midland International Airport, runway 16R, 9,501 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 88; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,729 total, 3,238 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050517007859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050517007859A), May 17, 2005: Beech T42A, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 17, 2005, at approximately 1600 CDT, the pilot and single occupant of N6037W, a Beechcraft model be 55, was cleared to land on runway 16R at…

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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