# NTSB GAA15CA124: Beech D35, N2984B, Sunriver, OR, May 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2015, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Sunriver, OR - Coordinates: 43.875, -121.453613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8750&lon=-121.4536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91373/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91373 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction from completing his before landing checklist and inability to hear the gear warning horn annunciator in his headphones. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151510), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [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 D35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1151510), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1151510), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=1151510), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech D35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151510), [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 D35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151510), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he entered the airport traffic pattern after a local sightseeing flight and began the before landing checklist. Three other aircraft announced their presence in the vicinity of the airport and the pilot turned his attention to locating the other aircraft without finishing the checklist. The pilot reported that he did not hear the gear warning horn annunciate while he was wearing his noise cancelling headset and landed with the gear retracted. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage supporting structure. After the accident, the airplane was put on jack stands and the landing gear was extended manually. The landing gear was not operated through the use of the airplane's electrical system. The pilot reported flying the airplane the previous day and the landing gear operated normally. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he entered the airport traffic pattern after a local sightseeing flight and began the before landing checklist. Three other aircraft announced their presence in the vicinity of the airport and the pilot turned his attention to locating the other aircraft without finishing the checklist. The pilot reported that he did not hear the gear warning horn annunciate while he was wearing his noise cancelling headset and landed with the gear retracted. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage supporting structure. After the accident, the airplane was put on jack stands and the landing gear was extended manually. The landing gear was not operated through the use of the airplane's electrical system. The pilot reported flying the airplane the previous day and the landing gear operated normally. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2984B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2984B-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N D-3624, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D35 - Registry model: [Beech D35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d35) (registry code 1151510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-3624 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 5259 - Engines: CONITNENTAL E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 2015 - Departed: S21, Sunriver, OR - Destination: S21, Sunriver, OR - Airport: S21, Sunriver, runway 18, 5,461 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 687 total, 126 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KBDN, 17 nm away ## 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 20150529007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150529007749A), May 29, 2015: Beech D35, Sunriver, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that he became distracted looking for other traffic while on approach to landing Sunriver rwy 18, and forgot to select gear down. Airplane… ## Other investigations on N2984B (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 OAK76DVA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVA02), Jul 4, 1975: Beech D35 (N2984B), Sanger, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91373. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 628 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Bottom of Fuselage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Bottom%20of%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Close up of Fuselage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 284 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Close%20up%20of%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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. --- 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.