# NTSB ERA24LA226: Beech A36, N216R, Griffin, GA, March 11, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2024, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Griffin, GA
- Coordinates: 33.227006, -84.274975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2270&lon=-84.2750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194310/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194310
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA226

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the airplane’s landing gear before landing.

## 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 · Not used/operated (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)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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 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)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech A36, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, abeam the runway numbers, he “reviewed the checklist and completed the steps with my hand touching the landing gear handle.” On the base leg of the traffic pattern, he attempted to check the landing gear position indicator lights, but glare from the sun prevented him from confirming if the lights were illuminated. The pilot continued to land and upon touchdown realized that the landing gear were not extended resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N216R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N216R), registered now, S/N E1341, built 1978 (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: E1341
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 5044.08
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2024
- Departed: GA62, Griffin, GA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 6A2, Griffin-Spalding County, runway 32, 3,701 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 24, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 279 total, 205 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 6A2
- METAR: METAR K6A2 111655Z AUTO 33004KT 10SM CLR 13/M10 A3028 RMK AO2

## 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 20240311016089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240311016089A), Mar 11, 2024: Beech A36, Griffin, GA, Substantial damage. On March 11, 2024, the aircraft was involved in a gear-up landing as a result of the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. The pilot stated he did not…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194310. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 994 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17208352&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Hannah_6120.1%20Pilot_Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident_Incident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 731 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17208186&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.

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