# NTSB ERA10LA042: Beriev BE-103, N13KL, Miami, FL, October 30, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 2009, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.781665, -80.176666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7817&lon=-80.1767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 17, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74982/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74982 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA042 ## Probable cause A malfunction of the landing gear retraction/extension and indication system for undetermined reasons, which resulted in one or more components being improperly positioned for the water landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Beriev BE-103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=05615W5), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Indicating/recording systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Beriev BE-103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100/cases.md?model=05615W5), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Malfunction; cases with it: [Beriev BE-103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=05615W5), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Beriev BE-103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05615W5), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Beriev BE-103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=05615W5), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Beriev BE-103, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05615W5), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The owner/pilot was demonstrating the airplane to the two passengers, who were potential buyers. After takeoff, when the pilot retracted the landing gear, two of the three gear position indication lights signaled that the gear was retracted, but the right gear position indicated that the landing gear was still in transit. The pilot re-cycled the landing gear, and all three lights indicated that the landing gear was retracted. After an otherwise normal flight, the pilot decided to demonstrate a water landing. During touchdown, the right side of the airplane "dragged," and the left wing struck the water abnormally. The airplane remained afloat. Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane land with one landing gear extended. Postaccident examination revealed that one of the springs on the landing gear up-latch assembly was stretched, for undetermined reasons. No additional details were provided for the investigation. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 30, 2009, about 1030 eastern daylight time, an amphibious Beriev Aircraft Company Be-103, N13KL, was substantially damaged during a water landing in the Biscayne Bay near Miami, Florida. The airline transport pilot-rated owner and the two passengers were not injured. The local personal flight departed Opa-Locka Executive Airport (OPF), Miami, Florida at 1000, and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the airplane to the two passengers. After takeoff, when he retracted the landing gear, two of the three gear position indication lights signaled that the gear was retracted, but the right gear position light indicated that the landing gear was still in transit. The pilot then re-cycled the landing gear, and all three lights indicated that the landing gear was retracted. After an otherwise normal flight, the pilot decided to demonstrate a water landing in Biscayne Bay. On touchdown, the right side of the airplane "dragged," and then the left wing of the airplane struck the water abnormally. This resulted in an "abrupt heading change of about 60 degrees," and a sudden stop, but the airplane remained afloat. Persons on a commercial tow boat operating in the area witnessed the accident and motored to the airplane. The pilot and passengers deplaned onto the boat. Witnesses reported that while the airplane was coming in to land, they observed that one of the landing gear wheels was down. They could not provide any additional detail. PERSONNEL INFORMATION FAA records indicated that the pilot held an airline transport certificate with airplane single and multi-engine land and sea ratings, as well as multiple type ratings. He also held a flight instructor certificate with airplane single- and multi-engine ratings, and a mechanic certificate with airframe, powerplant and inspection authorization ratings. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued in November 2008, at which time he reported 26,000 total hours of civilian flight experience. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was designed and manufactured in Russia. According to the manufacturer's web site, the airplane was a "multipurpose amphibious...monoplane with low-set water-displacement wing with a root strake, all-moving horizontal tail located in the propeller blow zone, and tricycle landing gear." The site also noted that a "unique feature of the amphibious aircraft includes implementation of a water-displacement wing concept, which improves seaworthiness and stability when moving on water." The airplane was equipped with two Teledyne Continental IO-360 piston engines that were mounted on horizontal pylons above the rear part of the center wing section, and variable-pitch three-blade reversible propellers. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The 1053 recorded weatherobservation at OPF, located about 8 miles northwest of the accident site, reported winds from 100 degrees at 7 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 29 degrees C, dew point 22 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION According to information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident scene, the left wing of the airplane sustained substantial damage. The outboard section of the wing, beginning at the juncture between the flap and the aileron, was bent down approximately 20 degrees, and twisted approximately 10 degrees leading-edge down. The skin was buckled, cracked, and torn in the region of the bend. The fuselage skin outboard of the right forward nose gear door was torn by the door hinge brackets, due to over-travel of the door. The airplane was otherwise undamaged. TEST AND RESEARCH After the accident, the airplane sat unwashed for approximately three weeks before it was examined in detail by a certificated mechanic and an inspector from the FAA. NTSB personnel did not examine the airplane. The visual inspection revealed a considerable amount of salt crust on portions of the landing gear mechanism. It was also noted that one landing gear up-latch springs (of four total, two per side) was stretched. As part of the examination, the landing gear system was cycled several times. Initially, the motion appeared to be resisted by the contamination of the joints, but after several cycles, the landing gear operated normally, and correct indications of landing gear position by the cockpit gear-position lights were observed. Despite repeated requests of the personnel involved in the examination, no additional details were provided for the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13KL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13KL), registered now, S/N 3301, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BERIEV AIRCRAFT COMPANY BE-103 - Registry model: [Beriev BE-103](https://openairdocs.org/model/beriev-be-103) (registry code 05615W5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3301 - Airframe hours: 440 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER 210 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 2009, 5 hours before - Departed: OPF, Opa Locka, FL - Destination: OPF, Opa Locka, FL - Airport: X44, Miami Seaplane Base ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 26,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: OPF, 8 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 20091030050749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091030050749A), Oct 30, 2009: Beriev Airc BE-103, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off from kopf with 2 passengers. After take off, pilot selected gear up handle. Pilot got intransit indication followed by two up and one… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74982. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement - From Website (item 3, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20From%20Website-Master.PDF - Record of Email - Post Accident Examination Results (item 4, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20-%20Post%20Accident%20Examination%20Results-Redacted.PDF - Opa Locka Weather - METARS (item 5, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Opa%20Locka%20Weather%20-%20METARS-Master.PDF - Overview of Airplane Damage (item 6, .PDF, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Overview%20of%20Airplane%20Damage-Master.PDF - Airplane's Left Wing Trailing Edge Damage (item 7, .PDF, 294 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%27s%20Left%20Wing%20Trailing%20Edge%20Damage-Master.PDF - Nose and Nose Landing Gear Damage from Afar (item 8, .PDF, 530 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Nose%20and%20Nose%20Landing%20Gear%20Damage%20from%20Afar-Master.PDF - Nose Landing Gear Door Damage (item 9, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Nose%20Landing%20Gear%20Door%20Damage-Master.PDF - Landing Gear Light Indicators (item 10, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Landing%20Gear%20Light%20Indicators-Master.PDF 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.