# NTSB FTW85LA096: Beech V35B, N6735T, Amarillo, TX, January 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1985, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Location: 35.1699° N, 101.8259° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRADEWIND (TDW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1699&lon=-101.8259&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA096

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - door,exterior crew - open (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - gear extension - initiated, pilot in command
  - gear down and locked - not attained

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE CABIN DOOR OPENED & THE PLT ELECTED TO RETURN FOR A LANDING. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED BY WIND NOISE & 'NERVOUSNESS' AND FAILED TO ASSURE THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED. AS HE FLARED, THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE RWY. THE PLT ADDED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLIMB & EXTEND THE GEAR; HOWEVER, IT ONLY PARTIALLY EXTENDED & THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE RWY BEFORE THE GEAR COULD FULLY EXTEND & LOCK IN THE DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6735T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6735T-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N D-10374, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-10374
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chaparral Tradewind Aviation
- Registered owner: Tom S. Gerald III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: PPA, PAMPA, TX
- Airport: TDW, Tradewind, runway 35, 5,100 × 55 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 540 total, 320 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850114015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850114015249A), Jan 14, 1985: Beech V35B, Amarillo, TX, Substantial damage. Cabin door opened on takeoff. Touched down with gear up, other aircraft on runway. Climbed over aircraft and landed

## Other investigations on N6735T (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 DEN86FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA066), Jan 17, 1986: Beech V35B (N6735T), Leadville, CO, destroyed, 2 fatal

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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