# NTSB MKC86LA006: Beech A36, N72060, Chesterfield, MO, October 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1985, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Chesterfield, MO
- Coordinates: 38.649147, -90.530151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6491&lon=-90.5302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - improper (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT BATTERY BECAME SO DEPLETED THAT THE NAV AND COM EQUIPMENT FAILED. PILOT WAS ABLE TO DESCEND TO VFR CONDITIONS. HE STATED HE USED THE CHECKLIST TO MANUALLY EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BUT EACH TIME HE RELEASED THE CRANK, IT TURNED IN A REVERSE DIRECTION BY ITSELF AND HE FANALLY ELECTED TO LAND GEAR-UP ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY. HE LATER STATED THAT HE DID HAVE THE GEAR HANDLE DOWN BUT FORGOT TO PULL THE LANDING GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N72060 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2184
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dr. Rex Hardman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1985, 45 hours before
- Departed: IRK, KIRKSVILLE, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St. Louis

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 256 total, 158 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS

## 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 19851012067719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851012067719A), Oct 12, 1985: Beech A36, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Electrical failure during descent. Landed beside runway gear up. Alternator diodes failed.

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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