# NTSB MIA99LA106: Beech 58, N6CH, St Croix, March 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 1999, 03:00 local (08:00 UTC) - Place: St Croix - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45925 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45925/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA106 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - gear down and locked - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - gear extension - not obtained, pilot in command - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The flight landed short of runway 09 in a flat attitude, and the airplane continued in an easterly direction, striking the lights at the arrival end of the runway before coming to rest. There was no radio communications from the airplane before the accident that indicated the pilot was experiencing any problems with the airplane. The pilot said, '...after turning final approach...I completed the before landing check and selected gear down position with a green light. Over the runway, I closed the throttles for touchdown when there was a thump and the aircraft dipped to the left, then skidded on it's belly to a stop on the left side off the runway in grass.' Examination of the landing gear revealed no discrepancies. The FAA inspector wrote in his memorandum to the NTSB, '...it is my firm belief that the pilot did not lower the landing gear at the time of the landing. There was no damage to the main landing gear doors or scratch marks at the doors which indicated the pilot never did lower the gear. All damage was in the structure (airframe)....' ## Factual narrative On March 16, 1999, about 0300 eastern standard time, a Beech 58, N6CH, operated by a private individual, landed short of runway 09 at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from St. Thomas, at 0240. The flight landed short of runway 09 in a flat attitude, and the airplane continued in an easterly direction, striking the lights at the arrival end of the runway before coming to rest. There was no radio communications from the airplane before the accident that indicated the pilot was experiencing any problems with the airplane. The pilot said, "...after turning final approach...I completed the before landing check and selected gear down position with a green light. Over the runway, I closed the throttles for touchdown when there was a thump and the aircraft dipped to the left, then skidded on it's belly to a stop on the left side off the runway in grass." The airplane was placed on jacks, and an examination of the landing gear was conducted under the supervision of the FAA. No discrepancies were found during the examination of the landing gear. The FAA inspector wrote in his memorandum to the NTSB, "...it is my firm belief that the pilot did not lower the landing gear at the time of the landing. There was no damage to the main landing gear doors or scratch marks at the doors which indicated the pilot never did lower the gear. All damage was in the structure (airframe)...." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6CH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6CH), registered now, S/N TH-131, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH-131 - Airframe hours: 5215 - Engines: Continental IO-520-CB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cleophas Hodge - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1999, 11 hours before - Departed: STT, SAINT THOMAS - Destination: STX - Airport: STX, Henry E. Rohlsen, runway 9, 7,612 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,859 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 12,500 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: STT ## 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 19990316041319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990316041319A), Mar 16, 1999: Beech 58, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands, Substantial damage. (.4) The flight landed short of runway 09 in a flat attitude, and the airplane continued in an easterly direction, striking the lights at the arrival end of… 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.