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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 6, 1996 · Beech 58 · N4478W

Panama City, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Panama City, FL
Aircraft
Beech 58
Tail Number
N4478W
Operator
Robert F Maddox
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA96LA224

The pilot stated that during an approach to land, he became preoccupied with hold short instructions and traffic advisories. He indicated that this preoccupation led him to deviate from his landing routine, which resulted in a failure to lower the landing gear. Subsequently, the airplane landed gear-up, and was damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to extend the landing gear before touchdown, which resulted in an inadvertent wheels-up landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot allowed his attention to be diverted, and the resultant interference with his landing routine (habit pattern).

Full Narrative

On August 6, 1996, about 0921 central daylight time, a Beech 58, N4478W, registered to Maddox Enterprises, Inc., was landed gear-up at the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, Panama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 0800 from the Walker County-Bevill Field Airport, Jasper, Alabama. The pilot stated that the flight was cleared to land runway 14, hold short of runway 5. He further stated that he became pre-occupied by the hold short instructions and traffic advisories, and landed gear-up. He further stated that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn when he reduced the power to land. No determination was made as to whether the gear warning was operational.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:21 CDT
Nearest AirportPanama City-Bay County In (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length6314 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 58
Tail NumberN4478W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert F Maddox
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-C7B · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:23
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data