# NTSB FTW96LA129: Beech P35, N178DP, Brownwood, TX, February 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1996, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Brownwood, TX - Coordinates: 31.719802, -98.970893 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7198&lon=-98.9709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19769 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19769/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA129 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to follow manufacturer's procedures and premature gear retraction. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear retraction on ground, takeoff - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - gear retraction - premature, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the aircraft lifted off but 'would not climb or accelerate.' He believed that the landing gear collapsed about the time of rotation. One witness said he observed the right gear door to be partially open when the airplane was at about 10 or 15 feet AGL. Examination of the site and the airplane revealed 35 propeller strike marks and imprints in the runway corresponding to the belly and gear doors of the airplane. The landing gear handle was found in the retract position. Manufacturer's directions call for the gear to be retracted once a positive rate of climb is established. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 1996, at 1030 central standard time, a Beech P35, N178DP, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Brownwood, Texas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The airplane was departing runway 17 at Brownwood Airport. The pilot reported that the aircraft lifted off "but would not climb or accelerate." He also reported that he believed "a landing gear collapsed at or about rotation and that the propeller contacted the runway. I spent too much time trying to find the problem and ran out of runway." The airplane came to rest in an upright position less than 1/4 mile from the end of the runway. The airplane sustained damage to the wings, engine mount, firewall, propeller, and tail. A witness to the accident reported that the airplane was about 10 to 15 feet high when he noticed the right landing gear door was partially down. On scene inspection by the FAA inspector revealed that there were 35 propeller strikes on the runway and several imprints corresponding to the landing gear doors and belly of the airplane on the runway. Inspection of the cockpit area of the airplane revealed that the landing gear handle was in the "up" position. The pilot's operating manual provided by the manufacturer stated that the gear should be retracted after a positive rate of climb has been established. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N178DP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N178DP-2006-02-06), registration cancelled 2006-02-06, S/N D-7040, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech P35 - Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D7090 - Engines: Continental IO-470N 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack W. Lee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1996, 1 hours before - Departed: BWD, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,927 total, 3,700 in this make and model, 3,419 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19960222002439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960222002439A), Feb 22, 1996: Beech 35BEECH, Brownwood, TX, Substantial damage. Indicates pilot retracted gear at rotation prior. Positive climb. Settled. Scraped runway. Overran by fourth mile. 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.