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NTSB Report
February 15, 1986 · Beech 55 · N163Q
Ft. Myers, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ft. Myers, FL
Aircraft
Beech 55
Tail Number
N163Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA079
THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE & BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING DARK, HE COULD NOT SEE THE MECHANICAL LANDING GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. HE SAID THAT HE PERFORMED A 'GUMP' CHECK & VERIFIED THAT THE GEAR HANDLE WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION, BUT THE GEAR POSITION LIGHTS WERE OUT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE GEAR WARNING HORN DID NOT SOUND & A GEAR-UP LANDING WAS PERFORMED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD & THE RADIO, LIGHTS, TRANSPONDER & ROTATING BEACON SWITCHES WERE IN THE ON POSITION. BOTH GENERATOR SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED, ALL SYSTEMS AND LIGHTS WORKED NORMALLY, THE PLT SAID HE DID NOT CONNECT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE LANDING GEAR. HE STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD VERIFIED THE GEAR POSITION BY THE MECHANICAL GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WITH HIS FLASHLIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE & BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING DARK, HE COULD NOT SEE THE MECHANICAL LANDING GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. HE SAID THAT HE PERFORMED A 'GUMP' CHECK & VERIFIED THAT THE GEAR HANDLE WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION, BUT THE GEAR POSITION LIGHTS WERE OUT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE GEAR WARNING HORN DID NOT SOUND & A GEAR-UP LANDING WAS PERFORMED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD & THE RADIO, LIGHTS, TRANSPONDER & ROTATING BEACON SWITCHES WERE IN THE ON POSITION. BOTH GENERATOR SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED, ALL SYSTEMS AND LIGHTS WORKED NORMALLY, THE PLT SAID HE DID NOT CONNECT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE LANDING GEAR. HE STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD VERIFIED THE GEAR POSITION BY THE MECHANICAL GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WITH HIS FLASHLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:33 EST
Nearest AirportFt. Myers (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length4998 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech 55
Tail NumberN163Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-L · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind330° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC