# NTSB ERA19TA067: Beech A36, N41VK, Summerland Key, FL, November 23, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: November 23, 2018, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Summerland Key, FL - Coordinates: 25.795278, -80.29 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7953&lon=-80.2900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98784/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98784 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA067 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during landing rollout, resulting in a landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during taxi after landing on a 2,550-ft-long asphalt runway, he intended to retract the flaps, but accidently retracted the landing gear, resulting in the nose gear and right main landing gear collapsing on the runway. The pilot added that that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the accident site revealed runway scrape marks and propeller strikes originating about 1,000 ft beyond the approach end of the runway. The marks extended about 500 ft and terminated at the wreckage, off the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear remained extended and the right wing and lower fuselage sustained damage. The length of scrape marks and extent of damage were consistent with a landing gear collapse during a high-speed landing rollout, rather than a low-speed taxi after landing. The airplane was equipped with a squat switch on both main landing gear to prevent inadvertent landing gear retraction on the ground; however, the switch required weight-on-wheels to work effectively. It's likely that the pilot bounced the landing and attempted to retract the flaps in an effort to settle the airplane on the runway for better wheel braking; however, without weight on the right main landing gear, the gear retracted when the pilot inadvertently moved the landing gear lever instead of the flap lever. ## Factual narrative On November 23, 2018, about 0820 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N41VK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Summerland Key, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during taxi after landing, he intended to retract the flaps, but accidently retracted the landing gear, resulting in the nose gear and right main landing gear collapsing on the runway. The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed runway scrape marks and propeller strikes originating about 1,000 ft beyond the approach end of runway 12, a 2,550-ft-long asphalt runway. The marks extended about 500 ft and terminated at the wreckage, off the left side of the runway. The inspector added that the left main landing gear remained extended and he noted damage to the right wing and lower fuselage. The airplane was equipped with a squat switch on both main landing gear to prevent inadvertent landing gear retraction on the ground; however, the switch required weight-on-wheels to work effectively. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41VK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41VK), registered now, S/N E-1885, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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-1885 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 5525 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 2018, 70 hours before - Departed: PMP, Pompano Beach, FL - Destination: FD51, Summerland Key, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FD51, Summerland Key Cove Airport, runway 12, 2,550 × 20 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,891 total, 999,999 in this make and model, 1,851 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: NQX, 14 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 20181123022839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181123022839A), Nov 23, 2018: Beech A36, Summerland Key, FL, Substantial damage. During landing rollout after touchdown the airman attempted to retract the flaps for aeronautical braking and inadvertently grabbed the gear handle causing the… ## Other investigations on N41VK (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA20LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA089), Jan 25, 2020: Beech A36 (N41VK), Summerland Key, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to remove the flight control gust lock before takeoff, which resulted in an inability to rotate, aborted takeoff, and subsequent runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was a… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98784. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7465587&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summary (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7446986&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Interview summary 2 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7541432&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summary%202-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7465034&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7465145&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.