SEA97LA144

The pilot reported that the top cabin door latch popped open on takeoff. He made a 180 degree turn to return to the airport for landing (the airport was one-way, with takeoffs to the south and landings to the north). The pilot stated he actuated the gear switch to the down position, but 'evidently did not get the safety latch [which, according to the pilot's operating handbook, must be moved aside to place the switch to the up position] released.' The pilot noticed that the gear was still up, while in his landing flare. The departure end of the 2,365-foot landing runway has uphill terrain and trees, and the pilot reported he did not think he would be able to accomplish a successful go-around. He reported that he therefore elected to land gear-up rather than attempt a go-around. The pilot reported that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved.

On June 16, 1997, approximately 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Beech N35, N1382Z, landed gear-up upon returning to Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark near Hillsboro, Oregon, after a cabin door latch opened on takeoff. The aircraft incurred substantial damage in the gear-up landing. The commercial pilot of the aircraft was not injured. The 14 CFR 91 flight had departed Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported:

On take off the top door latch [popped;] I did a tear drop 180 [degree] turn to return to land. Twin Oaks airport advises [approach and land] runway 2 only. Depart [runway] 20 only. At that moment another aircraft reported 3 [miles] East landing Twin Oaks. I advised him of my intentions. While making a power on 180 [degree] turn to final approach I activated the key [board] gear down switch...I evidently did not get the [safety] latch [released]! As I reduced the power for final [flare] I realized the gear was not down but felt I was [too] slow for a go around on this short strip that is [designated] one-way-up hill with trees on the North end, so I landed with the gear up [rather] than try a go around on a short strip with trees on departure end.

The pilot indicated in his accident report that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved in the accident.

According to the Beechcraft FAA-approved pilot's operating handbook (POH) for the N35, the electrically operated landing gear is controlled by a two-position switch on the right side of the instrument panel. A latch on the control switch must be moved aside to place the switch in the up position. Landing gear position indicator lights on the right side of the control console show red when the gear is up, or green when it is down, illuminating only when the actuator assembly reaches either extreme. In addition, a mechanical indicator on the floorboard beneath the control console shows the position of the nose gear. A warning horn will sound intermittently if the throttle is retarded below approximately 12 inches Hg manifold pressure with the landing gear retracted. The landing gear can be manually extended if necessary by operating a handcrank at the rear of the front seats.

According to the U.S. Government Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark runway 2 is 2,465 long with a 100-foot displaced threshold, for an available landing distance of 2,365 feet.