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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

September 8, 1987 · Beech 100 · N73KA

Batesville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Batesville, IN
Aircraft
Beech 100
Tail Number
N73KA
Operator
Preister Aviation Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87LA210

THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROACHING HILLENBRAND AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT NOTICED A THUNDERSTORM CELL MOVING IN ON THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXPEDITE INTO HILLENBRAND. DURING THE APPROACH THE LANDING GEAR WAS NEVER PLACED IN THE EXTENDED POSITION. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE PUT THE LANDING GEAR DOWN, BUT STATED HE WAS 'VERY BUSY' DURING THE APPROACH AND THAT HIS ATTENTION WAS 'FOCUSED' OUTSIDE THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING PHASE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITH ITS GEAR IN THE RETRACTED POSITION CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROACHING HILLENBRAND AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT NOTICED A THUNDERSTORM CELL MOVING IN ON THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXPEDITE INTO HILLENBRAND. DURING THE APPROACH THE LANDING GEAR WAS NEVER PLACED IN THE EXTENDED POSITION. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE PUT THE LANDING GEAR DOWN, BUT STATED HE WAS 'VERY BUSY' DURING THE APPROACH AND THAT HIS ATTENTION WAS 'FOCUSED' OUTSIDE THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING PHASE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITH ITS GEAR IN THE RETRACTED POSITION CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportHillenbrand (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 100
Tail NumberN73KA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPreister Aviation Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT-6A28 · Turboprop · 680
Seats15

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 8 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data