# NTSB SEA89LA072: Beech A55, N6866Q, Arlington, WA, April 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1989, 18:10 local (Apr 20, 1989, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.180576, -121.670135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1806&lon=-121.6701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA072

## Probable cause

A PREMATURE/IMPROPER RETRACTION OF THE LANDING GEAR BY THE SECOND PILOT (AIRCRAFT OWNER), WHO WAS OCCUPYING THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - gear retraction - premature, copilot/second pilot (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE OWNER (AN EXPERIENCE PLT) ACCOMPANIED THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) TO ASSIST IN A MAINTENANCE TEST FLT. THE PIC RPRTD THAT WHILE HE WAS MAKING A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING, THE OWNER RAISED THE LANDING GEAR HANDLE, WHILE THE ACFT WAS STILL ON THE GROUND. THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED & THE ACFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND & SLID TO A STOP. A FIRE ERUPTED & SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6866Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6866Q-1992-10-02), registration cancelled 1992-10-02, S/N TC330 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-A55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-a55) (registry code 1152704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC330
- Airframe hours: 5860
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Calkins Equipment Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1988, 3 hours before
- Destination: PAE, EVERETT, WA
- Airport: S88, Arlington, runway 16, 5,333 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19890420009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890420009379A), Apr 20, 1989: Beech 95A55, Arlington, WA, Destroyed. On a touch and go maintenance test flight, passenger inadvertently raised the gear. Gear up slide. Aircraft burned.

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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