# NTSB WPR23LA331: Beech N35, N92NJ, Ennis, MT, August 31, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 31, 2023, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Ennis, MT
- Coordinates: 45.275725, -111.64891
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2757&lon=-111.6489&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: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192980/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192980
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA331

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before 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)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing approach he forgot to extend the airplane’s landing gear. The airplane subsequently touched down on the runway and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## 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)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92NJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92NJ), registered now, S/N D-6604, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH N35
- Registry model: [Beech N35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-n35) (registry code 1151528) (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-6604
- Year built: 1960
- Airframe hours: 4615.71
- Engines: Continental IO-529 BA 285 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Registration Pending
- Registered owner: Registration Pending
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2022
- Departed: KTTD, Portland, OR
- Destination: KEKS, Ennis, MT
- Airport: KEKS, Ennis Big Sky Airport, runway 16, 7,600 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 504 total, 391 in this make and model, 504 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Observed at: KDLN, 38 nm away
- METAR: METAR KDLN 311353Z AUTO 20011KT 10SM

## 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 20230831016959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230831016959A), Aug 31, 2023: Beech N35, Ennis, MT, Substantial damage. Description of the deviation: While operating on a VFR flight plan, [privacy data omitted] had a gear-up landing at keks, Ennis, MT airport on runway 16 after…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192980. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16462368&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20N92NJ_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 581 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16462724&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photographs%20N92NJ-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.

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