# NTSB LAX07LA221: Beech 58, N141DH, Chino, CA, July 14, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2007, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 33.974445, -117.63639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9744&lon=-117.6364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66262/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA221 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure the landing gear selector handle was in the extended position prior to departure, which resulted in a premature retraction. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear retraction on ground, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - activated (cause) - gear down and locked - not verified, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis As the airplane was accelerating down the runway for departure approaching a rotation speed around 50 to 60 knots, the nose began to rise. The pilot then retarded the throttles to the idle position after smelling what he believed was a burning electrical odor. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane skid to a stop. An examination performed by a mechanic revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the electrical system or landing gear. There was no evidence of an electrical overheat condition or fire. Upon activation of the system, the landing gear operated as designed in both extension and retraction. The landing gear is operated by an electric motor. If the landing gear selector handle was in the retracted position, during rotation, as the weight came off the wheels, the landing gear system would retract. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2007, about 0915 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 58, N141DH, experienced a landing gear collapse while on the departure roll from the Chino Airport, Chino, California. Threshold Technologies was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local personal flight was originating at the time of the accident with a planned destination of John Wayne-Orange County Airport, Santa Ana, California. In a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, and in his subsequent written report, the pilot stated that as the airplane was accelerating down the runway for departure, he recognized the odor of burring electrical wire. As the airplane approached rotation speed around 50 to 60 knots, the odor became stronger. The nose of the airplane began to rise and he retarded the throttle controls to the idle position. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane skid to a stop. He noted that the circuit breakers were in the closed position and the landing gear handle was in the down position. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that examined the wreckage following the mishap stated that the airplane incurred structural damage during the accident sequence. The airplane was not examined for 6 months after the accident, as there was an ongoing dispute between the insurance company and the owner. The airplane remained in storage at a repair station in Chino. An FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic and airline transport pilot, examined the airplane and provided a statement of the findings. He reported that a mechanical inspection and evaluation was conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance manual and procedures. The examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the electrical system or landing gear. Upon activation of the system, the landing gear operated as designed. He opined that during the attempted departure, the landing gear handle was in the retracted (up) position. He further stated that if the landing gear handle were in this position the landing gear would retract as the airplane became airborne. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N141DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N141DH-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N TH-1065, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH-1065 - Airframe hours: 3360 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-550-C 300 horsepower reciprocating; Teledyne Continental IO-550-C 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Threshold Technologies - Registered owner: Gredon Marine, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2006 - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Destination: SNA, Santa Ana, CA - Airport: CNO, Chino Airport, runway 26L, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 4,100 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,280 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: CNO ## 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 20070714015029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070714015029A), Jul 14, 2007: Beech 58, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was attempting a take off on runway 26L, at 60KTS IAS he saw smoke/fumes and smelled electrical fire. Shortly after this the nose gear started to… 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.