# NTSB WPR12CA415: Beech V35B, N1129T, Elko, NV, September 8, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 8, 2012, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.824722, -115.791664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8247&lon=-115.7917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Reno FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA415 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85006/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85006 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA415 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear during the aborted takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform a thorough preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech V35B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151548), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had just retracted the landing gear after takeoff when he was advised by a passenger that fuel was streaming from one of the fuel tank caps. After confirming that fuel was leaking, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff and land straight ahead. Although he was able to land on the remaining runway, the pilot forgot to extend the landing gear before the airplane touched down, and the airplane’s bulkhead was damaged. The pilot stated that he had not ensured that the fuel caps were secured and that he should have done a final walk-around before taking off to make sure everything was in order. The pilot reported that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who had just retracted the landing gear on the low wing airplane as part of the takeoff sequence, was advised by one of his passengers that fuel was streaming out from under one of the fuel tank caps. After confirming that there was fuel streaming from under the cap, the pilot, since he had enough runway remaining to do so, decided to abort the takeoff and land straight ahead. Although he was able to get the airplane back on the ground within the remaining runway, the pilot forgot to extend the landing gear prior to making contact with the runway surface, which resulted in substantial damage to one of the airplane’s bulkheads. The pilot later stated that he had not made sure the fuel caps were secure prior to takeoff, and that he should have done a final walk-around to make sure everything was in order. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1129T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1129T), registered now, S/N D-9867, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH V35B - Registry model: [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b) (registry code 1151548) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-9867 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jerry Grout - Registered owner: Jng Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KEKO, Elko, NV - Destination: KEKO, Elko, NV - Airport: KEKO, Elko Regional, runway 05, 7,214 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 6,923 total, 1,645 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20120908020299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120908020299A), Sep 8, 2012: Beech V35B, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot reported in an email statement received on 9-10-12 the following; pilot took off on rwy 5 (7200') with 3 passengers at 0928.after rotation and gear… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85006. 375 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 375 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378253&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.