N1820L

On October 12, 2000, about 1345 Alaska daylight time, a Beech BE-A36 airplane, N1820L, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll at the Nondalton Airport, Nondalton, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Lake Clark Air Inc., Port Alsworth, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at Port Aslworth at 1335.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 12, 2000, the director of operations for the operator reported the pilot was positioning the airplane to begin an on-demand charter flight. The pilot landed on runway 20 at Nondalton, and during the landing roll, the landing gear collapsed. The director of operations stated that the pilot intended to raise the flaps, but inadvertently raised the landing gear handle. The airplane received damage to the propeller, landing gear doors, the lower portion of the nose cowling, and the right wingtip. Additionally, the left and right butt ribs, positioned inboard and longitudinally along the landing gear wheel wells, were buckled. The right butt rib had a vertical tear in the metal structure.

The director of operations said that when he landed at Nondalton to inspect the airplane, he noted that the landing gear handle was in the "UP" position.