Landing Gear Not Configured: Beech A36 Bonanza, N998LS; accident occurred May 28, 2019 at Hilton Head Airport (KHXD), Beaufort County, South Carolina

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbia, South Carolina

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


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

https://registry.faa.gov/N998LS

Location: Hilton Head, SC
Accident Number: GAA19CA294
Date & Time: 05/28/2019, 1400 EDT
Registration: N998LS
Aircraft: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY A36
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during an instrument flight rules approach, he failed to extend the landing gear, and the airplane landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by "paying much closer attention to the checklists." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to complete the before landing checklist.

Findings

Aircraft
Gear extension and retract sys - Not used/operated (Cause)

Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)
Use of checklist - Pilot (Factor)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Landing gear not configured (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 53, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/26/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/31/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 600 hours (Total, all aircraft), 350 hours (Total, this make and model), 500 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY
Registration: N998LS
Model/Series: A36
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: E-3204
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/05/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3651 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2083.4 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-550
Registered Owner: F & S Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: F & S Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHXD, 24 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1750 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 196°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 7000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 25000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 100°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: 
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 35°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Asheville, NC (AVL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Hilton Head, SC (HXD)
Type of Clearance: Cruise; IFR; Traffic Advisory
Departure Time: 1230 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Hilton Head (HXD)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 19 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: Visual
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.224444, -80.697500 (est)