# NTSB SEA96LA058: Beech 35, N3363V, Laurel, MT, February 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 1996, 19:00 local (Feb 22, 1996, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.600708, -108.679862 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6007&lon=-108.6799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA058 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. Factors related to the accident were: an inoperative gear warning system, the dark night, and the pilot's failure to follow the checklist. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,gear warning system - inoperative (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after he entered the pattern for landing, he began the 'GUMP' preparations while making announcements of his position. The flight was conducted after dark, and the pilot stated that he did not visually check to make sure that the landing gear was extended because there was no light that showed the mechanical position of the landing gear. The pilot also stated that the red landing gear panel light was out and the warning horn did not sound. The airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 1996, at 1900 mountain standard time, a Beech 35, N3363V, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR 91 personal flight, landed with the landing gear retracted at Laurel, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Columbus, Montana, about one half hour before the accident. The pilot reported that he was returning to Laurel after washing his airplane. The pilot stated that he entered the traffic pattern for runway 22 and began his "GUMP" preparations while making announcements of his position in the pattern. The pilot stated that he did not visually check to make sure that the landing gear was extended, as there was no light that showed the mechanical position of the landing gear. The pilot also stated that the red landing gear panel light was out and the warning horn did not sound. The airplane touched down with the landing gear unintentionally retracted. After the accident, the pilot had the airplane drug approximately 20 feet to clear the runway. Later, the airplane was raised and the landing gear was extended. The airplane was then towed to the parking area. The pilot claims that the structural damage to the bulkhead was done when the airplane was drug off the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office and two FAA certificated mechanics reported that the bulkhead was ground down and the material was thin. The FAA inspector and one mechanic felt that the extensive grinding was a result of the gear up landing. The second mechanic did not have an opinion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3363V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3363V-2018-03-21), registration cancelled 2018-03-21, S/N D-829, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 - Registry model: [Beech 35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35) (registry code 1151502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-829 - Airframe hours: 4100 - Engines: Continental E-185-8 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert M. Felt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1995, 6 hours before - Departed: 6S3, COLUMBUS, MT - Airport: 6S8, Laurel Muni, runway 22, 3,775 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 120 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BIL, 11 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 19960221004439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960221004439A), Feb 21, 1996: Beech 35BEECH, Laurel, MT, Substantial damage. Landed gear up. Failed extend gear for landing. Sliding on runway ground down a bulkhead. 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.