# NTSB GAA18CA412: Beech A36, N67CD, Spencer, IA, June 29, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2018, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Spencer, IA - Coordinates: 43.165554, -95.202774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1656&lon=-95.2028&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA412 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97734/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97734 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA412 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s failure to use the Before Landing checklist due to being distracted while communicating with other aircraft and controlling the airplane in the gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear selector](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/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 A36, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/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 A36, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped airplane, he did not extend the landing gear before landing. He reported that he became distracted while communicating with other aircraft and controlling the airplane in the gusting wind conditions. Further, he did not realize that what he perceived as the stall warning horn was actually the landing gear unsafe warning horn. He added that the accident could have been prevented by repeating his GUMPFS checklist on final and checking to ensure that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage bulkheads and spar carry-through. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane, he did not extend the landing gear prior to landing. He reported that he became distracted while communicating with other aircraft and controlling the airplane in the gusting wind conditions. Further, he did not realize that what he perceived as the stall warning horn, was the landing gear unsafe warning horn. Additionally, he reported that the accident could have been prevented by repeating his GUMPFS checklist on final and checking to ensure that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. The airplane sustained substantial damage the lower fuselage bulkheads and spar carry-through. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67CD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67CD), registered now, S/N E-2554 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2554 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 3300.8 - Engines: Continental IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Reeder Airlines LLC - Registered owner: Reeder Airlines LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2017 - Departed: SUX, Sioux City, IA - Destination: SPW, Spencer, IA - Airport: SPW, Spencer Muni, runway 18, 5,100 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 387.2 total, 144.1 in this make and model, 237.3 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10.1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KMDS, 97 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 20180629008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180629008909A), Jun 29, 2018: Beech A36, Spencer, IA, Substantial damage. Landing approach to runway 18 in strong and gusting winds from 180. Communicating with departing and arriving traffic for same runway. Focusing on aircraft… ## Other investigations on N67CD (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 CEN23LA419](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA419), Sep 23, 2023: Beech A36 (N67CD), El Dorado, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97734. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.