# NTSB ERA26LA043: Beech 95-B55, N711FA, Dothan, AL, November 14, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 14, 2025, 13:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Dothan, AL · Runway 32 at DHN
- Coordinates: 31.321028, -85.449472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3210&lon=-85.4495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 14, 2026
- 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): 202019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202019/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202019
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA043

## Probable cause

The failure of the left main landing gear actuator rods, which resulted in a gear up landing.

## Findings

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

- [Landing gear system: landing gear door actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023232): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023232/cases.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023232/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: landing gear actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Beech B-55, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1152729), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilots reported that the instructional flight was the first leg of a multi-leg trip. Upon arrival at their initial destination, the landing gear selector was moved to the down position; however, the landing gear position lights indicated that the landing gear was not down and locked. Due to an absence of airport personnel to visually confirm the position of the landing gear, the instructor elected to divert to an airport with an air traffic control tower. Upon arrival, the air traffic controller reported that the nose and right main landing gear were extended; however, the left main gear was not. In an effort to extend the landing gear, the pilots attempted to troubleshoot the malfunction. They performed the emergency gear extension procedure, and multiple flight maneuvers to force the landing gear down, without success. The pilots also noted that the landing gear motor circuit breaker was open and would not reset. After consulting with maintenance personnel, they elected to delay landing, in an attempt to reset the circuit breaker, preferring a gear up landing rather than a partial landing gear extension that could result in a loss of control. The circuit breaker was subsequently reset, and the landing gear was retracted in preparation for a gear up landing. The pilots confirmed with air traffic control that all three landing gear were retracted; however, the left main gear door remained “ajar.” An uneventful gear up landing was conducted, which resulted in substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed abrasion damage to the left inboard landing gear door, damage near both of its hinges, and a failed aft hinge, consistent with the open door contacting the runway during landing. In addition, the actuator rods that mechanically connect the landing gear motor gearbox to the left main landing gear and left inboard door had failed. The left main landing gear was likely unable to extend due to the failed actuator rods; however, it could not be conclusively determined which actuator rod failed first.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711FA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711FA), registered now, S/N TC-1982, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Beech B-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b-55) (registry code 1152729) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-1982
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 5922.8
- Engines: Continental IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Elkhorn Valley Aviation
- Registered owner: Elkhorn Valley Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2024
- Departed: EYW, Key West, FL
- Destination: BCR, Bonifay, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DHN, Dothan Rgnl, runway 32, 8,499 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,670 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 5,485 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 24, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,276 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,175 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: DHN
- METAR: KDHN 141953Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/03 A3019 RMK AO1 SLP218 T02440033

## 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 20251114021109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251114021109A), Nov 14, 2025: Beech B-55, Dothan, AL, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced a left main landing gear extension malfunction. After extensive in-flight troublshooting, the decision to initiate a gear-up landing was…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202019. 10.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19848969&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20Pilot-Instructor_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement - instructor (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19848683&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Incident%20Report%20-%2011-14-25%20-%20Instructor_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement - student (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19848504&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Incident%20Report%20-%2011-14-25%20-%20Pilot%20Receiving%20Instruction_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Passenger - airplane owner statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19848693&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Incident%20Report%20-%2011-14-25%20-%20Passenger-Owner_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Landing gear system illustrated parts catalogs excerpts with annotations - N711FA (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 771 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19879370&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N711FA%20TC-1982%20IPC%20Excerpts_Final-Rel.pdf
- Airframe logbook excerpt (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 653 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19880070&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N711FA%20Airframe%20Logbook%20Exceprt_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - FAA inspection N711FA (item 7, PDF, 13 pages, 11 photos, 794 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19885084&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Gear%20Exam%20N711FA_Rev2-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photos (item 8, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19887806&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=EA26LA043%20Investigation%20Photos_Redacted-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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