# NTSB LAX85LA298: Beech 95-B55, N18387, Thermal, CA, July 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1985, 19:55 local (Jul 1, 1985, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Thermal, CA
- Coordinates: 33.480236, -116.100494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4802&lon=-116.1005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA298

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - gear retraction - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A CROSS COUNTRY BUSINESS FLT, THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER 'EASING THE NOSEWHEEL DOWN ONTO THE RUNWAY' HE REACHED FOR THE FLAP LEVER BUT PUT HIS HAND 'ON THE GEAR LEVER INSTEAD.' AS HE 'PULLED THE LEVER OUT OF THE DETENT TRIPPING IT,' THE PLT SAID HE 'REALIZED WHAT (HE) WAS DOING AND LET IT GO' BEFORE MOVING THE LEVER TO THE UP POSITION. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR RETRACTED DURING THE LANDING ROLL EVEN THOUGH 'THE FUEL WEIGHT WAS NOT ON THE MAINS.' NO PART FAILURES OR GEAR SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTED DURING THE REPAIR OR FUNCTIONAL TESTING OF THE GEAR SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18387](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18387), registered now, S/N TC-2080, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 95-B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-2080
- Airframe hours: 669
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: M. B. Johnson Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1984, 33 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: TRM, Thermal, runway 30, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,991 total, 680 in this make and model, 3,628 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM

## 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 19850630028509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850630028509A), Jun 30, 1985: Beech 95B55, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. After touchdown while easing nosewheel onto runway pilot inadvertently retracted the landing gear.

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.