# NTSB WPR09CA101: Beech K35, N411B, Port Townsend, WA, November 14, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2008, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Port Townsend, WA - Coordinates: 48.053611, -122.810554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0536&lon=-122.8106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73284/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear prior to landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use a checklist and the distraction caused by the discussion with the passenger. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear selector](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech K35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md?model=1151524), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023234/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech K35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1151524), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech K35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=1151524), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech K35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151524), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech K35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151524), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot decided to make a straight-in visual-flight-rules approach to the destination airport after a flight of less than 10 minutes from his point of departure. There was departing traffic at the non-controlled destination airport and the pilot said that he became distracted while discussing that traffic with his passenger. The pilot, who said he normally makes sure that the gear is down while on downwind, did not use a checklist and failed to lower the gear prior to landing. The subsequent contact with the runway surface resulted in damage to a fuselage bulkhead. ## Factual narrative The pilot decided to make a straight-in visual flight rules (VFR) approach to the destination airport after a flight of less than 10 minutes from his point of departure. There was departing traffic at the non-controlled destination airport and the pilot said he became distracted while discussing that traffic with his passenger. The pilot, who said he normally makes sure the gear is down while on downwind, did not use a checklist and failed to lower the gear prior to landing. The subsequent contact with the runway surface resulted in damage to a fuselage bulkhead. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N411B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N411B-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N D-5960, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH K35 - Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-5960 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470-SER 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Henry A. Schilling - Registered owner: Henry A. Schilling - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: W28, Sequim, WA - Destination: 0S9, Port Townsend, WA - Airport: 0S9, Jefferson Co. Internat'l A/P, runway 09, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 23, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 15,150 total, 550 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 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 20081114853949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081114853949A), Nov 14, 2008: Beech K35, Port Townsend, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was landing on runway 09 at the Jefferson county airport, located at Port Townsend, WA., that the prop contacted the runway and the… 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.