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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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May 6, 1987 · Beech E-55 · N713DM

Spartanburg, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Spartanburg, SC
Aircraft
Beech E-55
Tail Number
N713DM
Operator
Chris Shurburtt
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA133

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LOWERED THE LDG GEAR AND OBSERVED A DOWN-AND-LOCKED INDICATION ON THE LDG GEAR POSITION LIGHT ON FINAL APPCH. DURING ROLLOUT, HE FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE NOSE GEAR AND PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE IT. HE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AS THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP, THE RT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE COCKPIT AND THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT THROUGH THE EMERGENCY EXIT. RESCUE PERSONNEL REPORTED FINDING THE ACFT RESTING GEAR-UP ON THE RWY WHEN THEY RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT. AN A&P MECHANIC ON-SCENE ASSISTED IN EXTINGUISHING A FIRE THAT HAD BROKEN OUT, AND ENTERED THE ACFT AFTERWARD. HE REPORTED FINDING THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER IN THE 'UP' POSITION. HE NOTED THAT THE FLAP SELECTOR WAS IN THE 'DOWN' POSITION. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT BY THE FAA REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR MECH FAILURE IN THE LDG GEAR DOWN-LOCK SYSTEM. THE INBD MLG DOORS WERE OBSERVED TO BE PARTIALLY GROUND AWAY.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LOWERED THE LDG GEAR AND OBSERVED A DOWN-AND-LOCKED INDICATION ON THE LDG GEAR POSITION LIGHT ON FINAL APPCH. DURING ROLLOUT, HE FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE NOSE GEAR AND PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE IT. HE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AS THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP, THE RT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE COCKPIT AND THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT THROUGH THE EMERGENCY EXIT. RESCUE PERSONNEL REPORTED FINDING THE ACFT RESTING GEAR-UP ON THE RWY WHEN THEY RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT. AN A&P MECHANIC ON-SCENE ASSISTED IN EXTINGUISHING A FIRE THAT HAD BROKEN OUT, AND ENTERED THE ACFT AFTERWARD. HE REPORTED FINDING THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER IN THE 'UP' POSITION. HE NOTED THAT THE FLAP SELECTOR WAS IN THE 'DOWN' POSITION. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT BY THE FAA REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR MECH FAILURE IN THE LDG GEAR DOWN-LOCK SYSTEM. THE INBD MLG DOORS WERE OBSERVED TO BE PARTIALLY GROUND AWAY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSpartanburg Downtown Mem. (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length5203 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech E-55
Tail NumberN713DM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorChris Shurburtt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-C · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data