# NTSB MIA86LA079: Beech 55, N163Q, Ft. Myers, FL, February 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1986, 18:33 local (23:33 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.560815, -81.869461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5608&lon=-81.8695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - electrical system,battery - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,generator - switched off (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE & BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING DARK, HE COULD NOT SEE THE MECHANICAL LANDING GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. HE SAID THAT HE PERFORMED A 'GUMP' CHECK & VERIFIED THAT THE GEAR HANDLE WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION, BUT THE GEAR POSITION LIGHTS WERE OUT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE GEAR WARNING HORN DID NOT SOUND & A GEAR-UP LANDING WAS PERFORMED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD & THE RADIO, LIGHTS, TRANSPONDER & ROTATING BEACON SWITCHES WERE IN THE ON POSITION. BOTH GENERATOR SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED, ALL SYSTEMS AND LIGHTS WORKED NORMALLY, THE PLT SAID HE DID NOT CONNECT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE LANDING GEAR. HE STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD VERIFIED THE GEAR POSITION BY THE MECHANICAL GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WITH HIS FLASHLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N163Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N163Q), registered now, S/N TC-671, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55) (registry code 1152705) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-671
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Felix T. Brittain
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1985, 25 hours before
- Departed: X00, PT OF THE ISLE, FL
- Airport: FMY, Ft. Myers, runway 31, 4,998 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,195 total, 210 in this make and model, 1,120 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY

## 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 19860215002719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860215002719A), Feb 15, 1986: Beech 95B55, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Flew with generator switches off. Battery ran down. Did not know manual extension procedure. Landed gear up.

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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