Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI05CA239

Holland, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N6222V

Beech 36

Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted go-around, after the pilot recognized that the landing gear was not extended during the landing approach. The pilot reported that the flight was in conjunction with an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles event. The aircraft was loaded with three passengers when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that two of the passengers were "teasing" the third passenger during the landing approach and as a result of being distracted he "forgot to put the landing gear down until the very last minute." The pilot stated that the airplane was "too close for the gear to lock" and he attempted a go-around. The pilot reported that the left wing "dipped and touched the ground causing the aircraft to spin off the runway."

Factual Information

On August 20, 2005, at 1215 eastern daylight time, a Beech 36 (Bonanza), N6222V, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an attempted go-around from runway 23 (2,999 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) at the Park Township Airport (HLM), Holland, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The local area flight departed HLM around 1200 and was returning to the airport at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the flight was in conjunction with an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles event. The aircraft was loaded with three passengers when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that two of the passengers were "teasing" the third passenger during the landing approach and as a result of being distracted he "forgot to put the landing gear down until the very last minute." The pilot stated that the airplane was "too close for the gear to lock" and he attempted a go-around. The pilot reported that the left wing "dipped and touched the ground causing the aircraft to spin off the runway."

Probable Cause and Findings

The failure of the pilot to extend the landing gear prior to landing. A factor to the accident was the pilot becoming distracted by his passengers during landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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