Beech 95-B55, N4464S: Accident occurred April 16, 2018 at Suffolk Executive Airport (KSFQ), Virginia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N4464S

Location: Suffolk, VA
Accident Number: GAA18CA251
Date & Time: 04/16/2018, 2130 EDT
Registration:N4464S 
Aircraft: BEECH 95 B55
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that during the flight, his GPS had fallen from its mount and the antenna cable became wrapped around the landing gear switch.

Prior to landing, the pilot applied aft pressure to the yoke to enter the flare and the antenna cable moved the landing gear switch to the retract position.

The airplane landed with the landing gear retracted and skidded to a stop on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage longerons and stringers, and the wing-spar carry through.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Multi-engine Sea; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/11/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/06/2007
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 26200 hours (Total, all aircraft), 530 hours (Total, this make and model), 25550 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 58 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BEECH
Registration: N4464S
Model/Series: 95 B55 T42A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: TC-1878
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/12/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8042.6 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONTINENTAL
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470 L
Registered Owner: MOOSEHEAD AVIATION INC.
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: MOOSEHEAD AVIATION INC.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSFQ, 72 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2215 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 247°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 6000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 14 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.66 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ORLANDO, FL (ISM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Suffolk, VA (SFQ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1400 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: SUFFOLK EXECUTIVE (SFQ)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 70 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 25
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3750 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude:  36.682778, -76.599722 (est)