# NTSB FTW83LA022: Beech H35, N7937D, Abilene, TX, October 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1982, 21:45 local (Oct 24, 1982, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Location: 32.4113° N, 99.6819° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ABILENE RGNL (ABI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4113&lon=-99.6819&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA022

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear - unlocked (cause)
  - gear extension - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(flight schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE EXTENDED THE GEAR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MILES OUT TO HOLD DOWN THE SPEED AND DESCEND. BEFORE LANDING, HE NOTED THAT NONE OF HIS LIGHTS WERE WORKING AND HE WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ABILENE RADIO. REPORTEDLY, HE ASSUMED THE GEAR WAS DOWN BECAUSE HE FELT THE TRIM CHANGE. WHEN THE NOSE GEAR TOUCHED DOWN DURING LANDING, ALL OF THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD BECOME COMPLACENT AFTER FLYING FOR 8 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7937D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7937D), registered now, S/N D-5214, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5214
- Airframe hours: 6741
- Engines: CONTINENATL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Brown/Texas Air Center
- Registered owner: James E. Hendrix
- Departed: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Destination: 9LA6, ALEXANDRIA, LA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ABI, Abilene Municiple, runway 17, 11,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,435 total, 27 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 136 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI

## 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 19821023055139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821023055139A), Oct 23, 1982: Beech H35, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot reported lights were not working. Failed to check gear down and locked. Gear collapsed on the landing roll.

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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