# NTSB GAA18CA342: Beech D35, N2167D, Corona, CA, May 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 28, 2018, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 33.897777, -117.600555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8978&lon=-117.6006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97466/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97466 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA342 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent landing gear retraction during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1151510), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech D35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1151510), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the retractable-landing-gear airplane reported that, during the landing roll, he reached for the flap switch to retract the flaps, and although the flap and landing gear switches are on the left and right side of the control column, respectively, he inadvertently retracted the landing gear. The pilot added that he had previously flown other airplanes that had the flap switch on the right side of the control column. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the retractable landing gear airplane reported that, during the landing roll, he reached for the flap switch to retract the flaps, and although the flap and landing gear switches are on left and right side of the control column, respectively, he inadvertently retracted the landing gear. The pilot added that he had previously been flying other airplanes and had become used to having the flap switch on the right side of the control column. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2167D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2167D-2019-10-11), registration cancelled 2019-10-11, S/N D-3514, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D35 (NO SERIES) - 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-3514 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 5148.76 - Engines: Continental E225-8 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2017 - Departed: POC, LA VERNE, CA - Destination: AJO, Corona, CA - Airport: AJO, Corona Muni, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 238.8 total, 29.7 in this make and model, 194.3 as pilot in command, 3.4 in the last 90 days, 1.6 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KAJO ## 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 20180528006239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180528006239A), May 28, 2018: Beech D35, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. After a stabilized approach and successful landing at Corona airport (kajo), in the process of slowing the aircraft down and increasing effective braking while… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97466. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.