N6CH

On March 16, 1999, about 0300 eastern standard time, a Beech 58, N6CH, operated by a private individual, landed short of runway 09 at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from St. Thomas, at 0240.

The flight landed short of runway 09 in a flat attitude, and the airplane continued in an easterly direction, striking the lights at the arrival end of the runway before coming to rest. There was no radio communications from the airplane before the accident that indicated the pilot was experiencing any problems with the airplane.

The pilot said, "...after turning final approach...I completed the before landing check and selected gear down position with a green light. Over the runway, I closed the throttles for touchdown when there was a thump and the aircraft dipped to the left, then skidded on it's belly to a stop on the left side off the runway in grass."

The airplane was placed on jacks, and an examination of the landing gear was conducted under the supervision of the FAA. No discrepancies were found during the examination of the landing gear. The FAA inspector wrote in his memorandum to the NTSB, "...it is my firm belief that the pilot did not lower the landing gear at the time of the landing. There was no damage to the main landing gear doors or scratch marks at the doors which indicated the pilot never did lower the gear. All damage was in the structure (airframe)...."