# NTSB DFW08CA194: Beech 65-A80, N6AQ, Midland, TX, July 17, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 17, 2008, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.942499, -102.201942
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Lubbock, TX
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA194

## Probable cause

The failure of the landing gear retraction/extension mechanism due to it being jammed by displaced sound proofing material.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 65-A80-8800, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1152810), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 65-A80-8800, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1152810), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot elected to return to the airport following the display of an unsafe landing gear light.  Following a flyby and visual check by the airport's control tower, the pilot proceeded to land.  During touchdown the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane's belly sustained structural damage.  An examination of the landing gear revealed that the failure was due to sound proofing material being caught in the landing gear retraction/extension mechanism.

## Factual narrative

The pilot elected to return to the airport following the display of an unsafe landing gear light.  Following a flyby and visual check by the airport's control tower, the pilot proceeded to land.  During touchdown the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane's belly sustained structural damage.  An examination of the landing gear revealed that the failure was due to sound proofing material being caught in the landing gear retraction/extension mechanism.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6AQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6AQ), registered now, S/N LD-214, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 65-A80
- Registry model: [Beech 65-A80-8800](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65-a80-8800) (registry code 1152810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IGSO-540-B1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-igso-540-b1a) (registry code 41535, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LD-214
- Airframe hours: 9429
- Engines: Lycoming IGSO-540-B1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Western Air Express Inc
- Registered owner: James Nyerges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006
- Departed: MAF, Midland, TX
- Destination: E38, ALPINE, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: MAF, Midland International, runway 10, 8,302 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 22,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 62 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 20080717841149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080717841149A), Jul 17, 2008: Beech 65A80, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 17, 2008, at approximately 0921 CDT, N6AQ, a 1964 Beechcraft queen air, BE-65-A80-8800, operated by western air express, inc. (WX5A), landed on…

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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