# NTSB ERA12LA450: Beech A36, N6672B, Johns Island, SC, July 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2012, 10:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Johns Island, SC - Coordinates: 32.700553, -80.001945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7006&lon=-80.0019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA450 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84315/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84315 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA450 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to complete the manual emergency gear extension after a loss of electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to delegate the landing gear extension to a non-pilot-rated passenger. ## 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: aC generator-alternator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was in cruise flight when it experienced symptoms of an electrical failure and the alternator "fail" light illuminated. A normal deployment of the landing gear was unsuccessful, so the pilot had the non-pilot-rated passenger review the manual gear extension procedure and then attempt to lower the gear. The pilot "confirmed" the landing gear handle would no longer rotate, but the electrical power loss precluded confirmation by the landing gear lights. The airplane completed a "no-bounce" landing and then settled to the runway on its belly, which resulted in substantial damage to airframe stringers and frames; the damage was consistent with the landing gear doors being closed during landing. According to a mechanic who supervised the recovery of the airplane from the runway, the airplane was resting on its belly with the landing gear retracted. He said the gear was "maybe 5 percent" deployed but remained retracted as the airplane was lifted with straps. Another mechanic entered the airplane, engaged the manual gear handle, and lowered the gear to the down and locked position. The battery master switch was turned on, and three green down-and-locked lights illuminated. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2012, at 1025 eastern daylight time, a Hawker-Beechcraft A36, N6672B, was substantially damaged during a gear-up landing at Charleston Executive Airport (JZI), Charleston, South Carolina. The certificated airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Bartow Municipal Airport (BOW), Bartow, Florida, about 0820, and was destined for JZI. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot/owner was interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and he also provided a written statement. He stated that the airplane was in cruise flight when it experienced symptoms of an electrical failure and the alternator "fail" light illuminated. A normal deployment of the landing gear was unsuccessful, so the pilot had the passenger review the manual gear extension procedure, and then attempted to extend the gear. The pilot "confirmed" the landing gear handle would no longer rotate, but the electrical power loss precluded confirmation by the landing gear lights. The airplane completed a "no-bounce" landing and then settled to the runway on its belly, which resulted in substantial damage to airframe stringers and frames. The pilot held multiple certificates and ratings, and was issued an FAA second class medical certificate on November 8, 2011. He reported 14,790 total hours of flight experience, 620 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model. According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1979 and had accrued 3,776 total aircraft hours. The airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on January 21, 2012 at 3,733 total aircraft hours. At 1015, the weather reported at JZI included clear skies and winds from 280 degrees at 9 knots. The temperature was 33 degrees C, the dew point was 23 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 29.97 inches of mercury. According to a mechanic that supervised recovery of the airplane from the runway, the airplane rested on its belly with the landing gear retracted. He said the gear was "maybe 5 percent" deployed, but remained retracted as the airplane was lifted with straps. Another mechanic entered the airplane, engaged the manual gear handle, and lowered the gear to the down and locked position. The battery master switch was turned on, and three green down-and-locked lights illuminated. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed damage consistent with the landing gear doors being closed during landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6672B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6672B), registered now, S/N E-1584, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1584 - Airframe hours: 3776 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aircraft Engineering Inc - Registered owner: Aircraft Engineering Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 21, 2012, 43 hours before - Departed: BOW, Bartow, FL - Destination: KJZI, Johns Island, SC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KJZI, Charleston Executive Airport, runway 27, 5,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 18, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 14,790 total, 620 in this make and model, 14,500 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 288° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KJZI, 1 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 20120709014419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120709014419A), Jul 9, 2012: Beech A36, Charleston, SC, Substantial damage. At 08:20 am the pilot departed bow enroute to jzi. Aav approach notified the pilot to recycle the transponder and he was handed off to beaufort approach who… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84315. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record: Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372993&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Recovery Crew Statement (item 4, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Recovery%20Crew%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Damage to Gear Door with Gear Locked Down (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388764&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damage%20to%20Gear%20Door%20with%20Gear%20Locked%20Down%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Damage to Airframe Structure (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388765&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Damage%20to%20Airframe%20Structure%20(FAA)-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.