Casualties unknown

1996-08-04: Beech E-55 (N142P) — Brownwood, TX

Brownwood, TX, US

On August 4, 1996, a Beech E-55 (registration N142P) was involved in an aviation accident near Brownwood, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. Factors were the pilot's failure to use a checklist, his diverted attention, and the landing gear warning horn not sounding. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot focused on a precise traffic pattern accidentally extended flaps instead of landing gear on base leg, leading to a wheels-up landing that caused damage to propellers, belly, and structural formers.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that during a routine flight, he was concentrating on practicing a close or precise traffic pattern. While on the base leg of the pattern, he intended to extend the landing gear but inadvertently added an extra notch of flaps instead. The pilot did not visually confirm the position of the landing gear or flap levers before making the selection.

Warning Horn Malfunction

The pilot also reported that the landing gear warning horn did not sound during the sequence. The absence of the auditory alert may have contributed to the pilot's failure to recognize the incorrect configuration before touchdown.

Damage Assessment

The aircraft touched down with the wheels retracted. As a result, both propellers, the belly of the airplane, and structural formers were bent or damaged during the wheels-up landing. No further details about the extent of the damage or other involved systems were provided in the report.

Pilot Actions

The pilot acknowledged that his focus on the precision of the pattern led him to neglect cross-checking the landing gear and flap controls. He did not look at the levers before actuating them, leading to the error.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06492. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.