# NTSB LAX03LA194: Beech 35-B33, N5FL, Inyokern, CA, June 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2003, 20:00 local (Jun 1, 2003, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Inyokern, CA - Coordinates: 35.658889, -117.824447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6589&lon=-117.8244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57235/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA194 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to extend the landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage during a gear up landing. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for the runway in turbulent conditions. He slowed the airplane and entered downwind. After turning from base to final, the airplane touched down and skidded to a stop at the left side of the runway. The pilot thought he had moved the gear handle to the down position; however, it was found in the up position after the accident. He said he was not sure if he simply forgot to lower the gear or accidentally bumped the handle to the up position in the turbulence. No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2003, at 2000 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 35-B33, N5FL, sustained substantial damage during a gear up landing at Inyokern Airport (IYK), Inyokern, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The cross-country flight originated from Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Reno, Nevada, at 1800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that upon entering the Inyokern area, he announced via radio crossing midfield to enter left traffic for runway 20. During the descent to traffic pattern altitude (TPA) it was bumpy. He slowed the airplane to lower the gear (he thought he did) and entered downwind. The flaps were extended while turning from base to final. The airplane touched down and skidded to a stop at the left side of the runway. The pilot was unsure if he inadvertently moved the gear handle up, or didn't put it down, but felt he was responsible for the error either way. The gear handle was found in the up position. No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5FL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech 35-B33 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-668 - Airframe hours: 2040 - Engines: Continental IO-470 N 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Willard T. Parlet - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2003, 22 hours before - Departed: KRNO, Reno, NV - Destination: KIYK, Inyokern, CA - Airport: KIYK, Inyokern, runway 20, 6,275 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,059 total, 106 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KIYK ## 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 20030531016809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030531016809A), May 31, 2003: Beech 35B33, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 05/31/2003 N5FL landed gear up on runway 20 at Inyokern Airport, kiyk. The pilot in command of the Beech BE-35-B33 was thomas w. parlet. In a… 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.