Summary
On May 17, 2005, a Beech BE-55 (N6037W) was involved in an incident near Midland, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear which resulted in a gear-up landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to follow the checklist.
On May 17, 2005, at 1506 central standard time, a Beech BE 55 twin-engine airplane, N6037W, sustained substantial damage, during a gear-up landing while landing at the Midland International Airport (MAF), near Midland, Texas. The private pilot/owner, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed maintenance personnel, who responded to the accident and assisted in recovering the airplane from the runway.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DFW05CA122. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6037W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear which resulted in a gear-up landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to follow the checklist.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On May 17, 2005, at 1506 central standard time, a Beech BE 55 twin-engine airplane, N6037W, sustained substantial damage, during a gear-up landing while landing at the Midland International Airport (MAF), near Midland, Texas. The private pilot/owner, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed maintenance personnel, who responded to the accident and assisted in recovering the airplane from the runway. The maintenance personnel reported that the landing gear handle was found in the "up" position and when battery power was applied to lower the landing gear, the landing gear warning horn actuated. Examination of the lower fuselage revealed structural damage to the wing spar.
When asked how this accident could have been prevented the pilot said, "I put my hand on [the] gear down [handle] and it stays there till I see 3 lites."
The airplane manufacturer requires that the pilot extend the landing gear as per the Normal Procedures-Before Landing checklist.
At 1453, weather at the airport was reported as wind from 180 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 16 knots, 10 miles visibility, and clear skies.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW05CA122