# NTSB LAX91LA284: Beech E-55, N7268R, Bakersfield, CA, July 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1991, 15:57 local (22:57 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.379325, -119.020599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3793&lon=-119.0206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA284

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION BY SELECTING GEAR UP INSTEAD OF FLAPS UP DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - gear retraction - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF 27 HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE AFTER RECEIVING A MULTIENGINE RATING. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE SCENE SHOWED THE GEAR HANDLE IN THE DOWN POSITION AND THE LANDING GEAR CIRCUIT BREAKER POPPED. DAMAGE TO THE GEAR DOORS AND GEAR ACTUATING RODS INDICATED THAT THE PILOT SELECTED GEAR UP INSTEAD OF FLAPS UP BEFORE THE GEAR STRUT SQUAT SWITCHES ACTIVATED TO PREVENT THE GEAR FROM RETRACTING. THE PILOT THEN SELECTED THE GEAR DOWN POSITION BUT THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE PREVENTED THE GEAR FROM EXTENDING, POPPING THE GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER. PRIOR TO OPERATING THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE, IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE PILOT OPERATED A TAILWHEEL, FIXED GEAR AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7268R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7268R), registered now, S/N TE-1027, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E-55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-1027
- Airframe hours: 2116
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian Payne
- Registered owner: Brian Payne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1991, 21 hours before
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA
- Airport: BFL, Bakersfield, runway 3, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 740 total, 27 in this make and model, 671 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 5 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 19910701025599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910701025599A), Jul 1, 1991: Beech E55, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Landing gear retracted on landing roll. Damage indicates gear intransit on rollout. Circuit breaker was popped.

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.

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