# NTSB MIA87LA258: Aero Commander 560-F, N61BT, Opa Locka, FL, September 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1987, 18:32 local (22:32 UTC)
- Place: Opa Locka, FL
- Coordinates: 25.91036, -80.270149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9104&lon=-80.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA258

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear lever - not secured (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED HIS THIRD TOUCH & GO LDG WHEN THE GEAR COLLAPSED WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON THE RWY. A PLT/MECHANIC WHO ASSISTED IN REMOVING THE ACFT FROM THE RWY STATED THAT JUST AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE PEERED INTO THE COCKPIT & OBSERVED THE LDG GEAR HANDLE SAFETY LOCK WAS NOT IN PLACE. HE STATED THE PLT WAS KNOWN TO CONDUCT TOUCH & GO LDGS WITHOUT THE LOCK IN PLACE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE LDG GEAR WAS EXAMINED & NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61BT-2011-04-15), registration cancelled 2011-04-15, S/N 1405-66, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 560-F
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 560-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-560-f) (registry code 0141408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1405-66
- Airframe hours: 1930
- Engines: LYCOMING IGO-540-B1A 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Courtney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: OPF
- Airport: OPF, Opa Locka, runway 9L, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,910 total, 41 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF

## 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 19870924059809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870924059809A), Sep 24, 1987: Gulstm 560F, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Landing gear collapsed on landing roll. Gear handle safety lock not engaged. Indicates accidental retraction.

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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