# NTSB WPR12CA393: Beech 95-55, N4QC, Spanoway, WA, September 4, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2012, 19:30 local (Sep 4, 2012, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Spanoway, WA - Coordinates: 47.083332, -122.466667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0833&lon=-122.4667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA393 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84893/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84893 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA393 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear prior to landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 95-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1152702), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot performed a go-around and raised the landing gear and flaps. On the second approach, he lowered the flaps partially but did not lower the landing gear. He stated that he didn’t think that the gear warning activated. After landing with the landing gear up, the pilot and his passenger were able to exit the airplane before it caught fire causing substantial damage to the cabin. ## Factual narrative The pilot made a go-around following his first approach, and raised the landing gear and flaps. On the second approach, he lowered the flaps partially, but did not lower the landing gear. He stated that he didn’t think that the gear warning activated. After landing with the landing gear up, the pilot and his passenger were able to exit the airplane before it caught fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4QC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4QC-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N TC-174, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 95-55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-55) (registry code 1152702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-174 - Airframe hours: 4901 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR I0-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Postma - Registered owner: Western Airlines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 9, 2012 - Departed: FHR, Friday Harbor, WA - Destination: S44, Spanoway, WA - Airport: S44, Spanaway, runway 34, 2,700 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 939 total, 80 in this make and model, 782 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KTCM ## 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 20120903018329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120903018329A), Sep 3, 2012: Beech 95-55, Spanaway, WA, Substantial damage. Upon arriving at S44 following a pleasure flight, the PIC decided to go around. The pilot retracted the landing dear during the go-around. The aircraft… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84893. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.