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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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September 23, 1986 · Beech E55 · N9043V

Kansas City, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kansas City, MO
Aircraft
Beech E55
Tail Number
N9043V
Operator
Wayne Decasta
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA192

THE PLT RPRTD THAT THIS WAS A POSITIONING FLT FOR A 100 HR INSPN & THAT THE ACFT WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THRU-OUT THE FLT. ACCORDING TO HIM, HE EXTENDED THE FLAPS & PUT THE GEAR HANDLE IN THE DOWN POSITION AS HE MADE A VOR APCH AT NIGHT; HOWEVER, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. DURING THE WHEELS UP LANDING, A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE COCKPIT AREA, EXTENSIVELY DAMAGING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS NOT VERIFIED. THE LANDING GEAR UPLOCKS WERE FOUND UNLATCHED, BUT THE WHEELS WERE FOUND IN THEIR RESPECTIVE WHEEL WELLS. AFTER THE ACFT WAS HOISTED OFF THE GROUND, ALL THREE WHEELS EXTENDED WITH NO DIFFICULTY WHEN THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYS WAS OPERATED. NEITHER THE ELECTRICAL GEAR MOTOR NOR THE INSIDE OF THE GEAR MOTOR COMPARTMENT WERE BURNED IN THE FIRE, BUT THE MOTOR HAD EVIDENCE OF THERMAL OVERLOAD DAMAGE AROUND THE WINDING. NO INFO WAS RECORDED ON THE TOWER TAPES TO INDICATE A GEAR PROBLEM BEFORE THE ACFT LANDED.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT THIS WAS A POSITIONING FLT FOR A 100 HR INSPN & THAT THE ACFT WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THRU-OUT THE FLT. ACCORDING TO HIM, HE EXTENDED THE FLAPS & PUT THE GEAR HANDLE IN THE DOWN POSITION AS HE MADE A VOR APCH AT NIGHT; HOWEVER, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. DURING THE WHEELS UP LANDING, A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE COCKPIT AREA, EXTENSIVELY DAMAGING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS NOT VERIFIED. THE LANDING GEAR UPLOCKS WERE FOUND UNLATCHED, BUT THE WHEELS WERE FOUND IN THEIR RESPECTIVE WHEEL WELLS. AFTER THE ACFT WAS HOISTED OFF THE GROUND, ALL THREE WHEELS EXTENDED WITH NO DIFFICULTY WHEN THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYS WAS OPERATED. NEITHER THE ELECTRICAL GEAR MOTOR NOR THE INSIDE OF THE GEAR MOTOR COMPARTMENT WERE BURNED IN THE FIRE, BUT THE MOTOR HAD EVIDENCE OF THERMAL OVERLOAD DAMAGE AROUND THE WINDING. NO INFO WAS RECORDED ON THE TOWER TAPES TO INDICATE A GEAR PROBLEM BEFORE THE ACFT LANDED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:13 CDT
Nearest AirportKnasas City Downtown (0nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length7001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech E55
Tail NumberN9043V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWayne Decasta
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-CB · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind320° @ 11 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:21
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data