# NTSB LAX87LA164: Beech S35, N13W, Tucson, AZ, March 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1987, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.150527, -110.929489 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1505&lon=-110.9295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - door - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DOOR CAME OPEN DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED AND LOCKED. THE PILOT RAISED THE LANDING GEAR. THEREAFTER, BECAUSE OF SLOW ACCELERATION, HE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. HE MOVED THE LANDING GEAR LEVER TO THE DOWN POSITION BUT WAS UNABLE TO HOLD OFF LONG ENOUGH FOR THE GEAR TO EXTEND FULLY INTO THE DOWN AND LOCKED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13W-2017-12-04), registration cancelled 2017-12-04, S/N D-7888, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 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: D7888
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-540 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Meigs, James B. Jr.
- Registered owner: James B Meigs Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: ABI, ABILENE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TUS, Tucson Int'L, runway 11R, 9,129 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS

## 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 19870331007889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870331007889A), Mar 31, 1987: Beech S35, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Cabin door opened on liftoff. Pilot elected to abort but landed before the gear locked down. Can fly with open door

## Other investigations on N13W (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 CEN09LA446](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA446), Jul 15, 2009: Beech S35 (N13W), Tuscola, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failure to maintain proper speed and distance during approach to land which resulted in landing long and subsequent runway excursion.

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.