# NTSB GAA19CA294: Ratheon A36, N998LS, Hilton Head, SC, May 28, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 28, 2019, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Hilton Head, SC - Coordinates: 32.224445, -80.697502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2244&lon=-80.6975&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 April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99518 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99518/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99518 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA294 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to complete the before landing checklist. ## 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: [Raytheon A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: [Raytheon A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/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: [Raytheon A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7150001), [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: [Raytheon A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7150001), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an instrument flight rules approach, he failed to extend the landing gear, and the airplane landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by "paying much closer attention to the checklists." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that during an instrument flight rules approach, he failed to extend the landing gear. The airplane landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that this accident could have been prevented by, "paying much closer attention to the checklists." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N998LS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N998LS), registered now, S/N E-3204, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RATHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY A36 - Registry model: [Raytheon A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/raytheon-a36) (registry code 7150001) (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-3204 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 2083.4 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: F & S Aviation Llc - Registered owner: F & S Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 2019 - Departed: AVL, Asheville, NC - Destination: HXD, Hilton Head, SC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HXD, Hilton Head, runway 03, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 350 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KHXD ## 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 20190528005329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190528005329A), May 28, 2019: Raytheon Aircraft Company A36, Hilton Head, SC, Substantial damage. N998LS a BE36 landed gear up at Hilton airport (hxd). The aircraft slid on its belly causing substantial damage to the underside of the aircraft. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99518. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475484&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475485&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.