# NTSB WPR19LA139: Beech 35, N1510S, Minden, NV, May 5, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 5, 2019, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 39.000556, -119.751113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0006&lon=-119.7511&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 99400 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99400/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99400 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA139 ## Probable cause A partial extension of the landing gear due to the poor condition of the electric landing gear motor, which resulted in a gear collapse upon landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech P35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1151530), [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-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech P35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=1151530), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the approach for landing was uneventful, and he selected the landing gear lever to the extended position. When the airplane touched down, the landing gear collapsed. The landing gear circuit breaker was found in the out position during postaccident examination. The airplane was placed on jacks and a gear swing test was conducted. During the test, the electric motor that drove the landing gear was noted to be "weak"; gear retraction was slow and the gear would only partially extend. No other anomalies in the landing gear system were noted. The cockpit landing gear lever, landing gear indications, and warning audio functioned properly during the test; thus, the pilot should have been alerted to the partial extension of the landing gear. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2019, about 0820 Pacific daylight time, a Beech P35, N1510S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV), Minden, Nevada. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the approach was uneventful, and he selected the landing gear lever to the down position. When the airplane touched down, the landing gear collapsed. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to its underside. Additionally, the landing gear circuit breaker was observed to be in the out position. At a later date, the airplane was further examined by an airframe and powerplant mechanic under the oversight of a FAA inspector. The airplane was placed on jacks and a landing gear swing was accomplished. The electrical motor that drove the landing gear to the extended and retracted position, was noted to be extremely weak and degraded. The motor would take an excessive time to retract and extend the gear. Furthermore, during gear extension, the gear would only partially extend. No other anomalies in the landing gear system were noted. The cockpit landing gear lever, landing gear indications, and warning audio were properly functioning. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1510S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1510S), registered now, S/N D-6940, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35 (P35) - Registry model: [Beech P35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-p35) (registry code 1151530) (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-6940 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 1793 - Engines: Continental IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2019 - Departed: E79, Fresno, CA - Destination: MEV, Minden, NV - Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe, runway 34, 7,399 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 2,052 total, 52.7 in this make and model, 2,052 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KMEV ## 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 20190505004049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190505004049A), May 5, 2019: Beech P35, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. Airman stated that the gear collapsed on touchdown at the mev airport. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99400. 522 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 473 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8898824&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19LA139%20Point%20One%20-%20APN_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8903127&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20WPR19LA139-Rel.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.