# NTSB GAA19CA358: Beech 35, N9018S, Bowie, MD, May 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2019, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Bowie, MD - Coordinates: 38.941665, -76.772499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9417&lon=-76.7725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99667 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99667/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99667 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA358 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 S35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech S35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech S35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151532), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted, which he said was his error. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the retractable landing gear airplane reported that the airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. He added that it was his error. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9018S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9018S), registered now, S/N D-7948, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 (S35) - Registry model: [Beech S35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (registry code 1151532) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-7948 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 6085 - Engines: Continental IO-520-C 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 2019 - Departed: 33N, Dover/Cheswold, DE - Destination: W00, Bowie, MD - Airport: W00, Freeway, runway 36, 2,420 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 86; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,197 total, 1,942 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 63 °F - Observed at: KCGS, 7 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 20190527005219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190527005219A), May 27, 2019: Beech S35, Bowie, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on runway 36 at Freeway Airport (W00). Gear was not in the down position. Aircraft sustained structural damage to the belly. Weather: wind 070… ## Other investigations on N9018S (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 LAX69F0004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0004), May 8, 1968: Beech S35 (N9018S), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99667. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 316 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 782 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474474&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.