N91TD

On March 31, 2000, at 1005 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N91TD, sustained substantial damage on contact with terrain during a wheels up, emergency landing after takeoff from runway 24 (3,797 feet X 100 feet, dry/asphalt) at Monroe County Airport, near Bloomington, Indiana. The business flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, pilot rated front seat passenger, and three other passengers were uninjured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for James M. Cox Dayton International Airport, near Dayton, Ohio.

The pilot stated, "I put in full throttle, mixture [and] prop and accelerated. We rotated at 75-78 knots and accelerated to 93-95 knots. When I retracted the gear the plane went into a sharp left bank and then a right bank. I had limited control so I opted to land straight ahead. We landed gear up as there was no time to lower the gear."

The commercial pilot rated front seat passenger stated, "Pilot conducted what appeared to be a thorough preflight [and] taxi run up check - all systems seemed to be operating properly. I called off some speeds during T.O. and looked to insure that the engine instruments were ok and no annunciator lights on. Approximately when pilot retracted the gear the aircraft started banking to the left - I got on the controls with the pilot to level the wings [and] get the nose down. Control appear marginal at best [and] the aircraft was placed on the ground."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performed an on-scene examination. The examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing from impact with the runway and substantial damage to the fuselage. The FAA inspector stated, "I questioned [the pilot] about whether a weight and balance computation had been completed. He stated that he did not do one, but had discussed this between himself and [the pilot rated passenger]. They thought the aircraft would be able to fly and should be within weight limits." The inspector computed the flight's weight and balance and found the flight's weight was 264.1 pounds over the maximum takeoff or landing weight.

At 1006, the Monroe County Airport, Bloomington, Indiana, weather was: Wind 110 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 11 degrees C; dew point -2 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury.