# NTSB NYC85LA172: Beech 36, N9031S, Calverton, NY, July 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1985, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Calverton, NY
- Coordinates: 40.920677, -72.75988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9207&lon=-72.7599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total (cause)
  - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - disabled (contributing factor)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,gear warning system - disabled (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF N9031S WAS ADVISED THAT NANTUCKET MEMORIAL AIRPORT WAS IN IFR CONDITIONS AND DECIDED TO TURN BACK TOWARDS LONG ISLAND. DURING THE FLIGHT TO LONG ISLAND, N9031S LOST RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND SOON ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND BEFORE ENTERING THE NY TERMINAL CONTRL AREA.            E CALVERTON AIRPORT WAS IDENTIFIED AND THE GEAR LOWERED FOR A LANDING. THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE, HOWEVER, THE MECHANICAL GEAR INDICATOR SHOWED THAT THE GEAR WAS DOWN. THE PILOT ASSUMED THE GEAR WAS LOCKED AND CONTINUED THE LANDING. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9031S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9031S-2020-10-24), registration cancelled 2020-10-24, S/N E-117, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 36 (58P)
- Registry model: [Beech 36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-36) (registry code 1151602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E117
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 SERI 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Sounder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1985
- Departed: N14, LUMBERTON, NJ
- Destination: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CTO, Calverton, runway 32, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 640 total, 380 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISP, 25 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 19850714073769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850714073769A), Jul 14, 1985: Beech 36BEECH, Calverton, NY, Substantial damage. Gear folded on landing after alternator power loss. Had a gear down flag after manual extension but no green lights

## Other investigations on N9031S (2)

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.

- [NTSB WPR18TA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA243), Aug 19, 2018: Beech 36 (N9031S), Kelso, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's fuel mismanagement, which led to fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and the subsequent forced landing to a field.
- [NTSB MIA86LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA201), Jul 6, 1986: Beech 36 (N9031S), Marco Island, FL, destroyed

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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