Beechcraft 35-B33 N718CD

Summary

On 11 October 2014 at about 22:44 local time, a Beechcraft 35-B33 registered N718CD, operated by Bussing Robert C, was involved in an accident near Effingham, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 October 2014 at 22:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Effingham, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Effingham County Memorial (1H2)

Coordinates

39.0706, -88.5336

Aircraft

Beechcraft 35-B33

Registration

N718CD

Category

Airplane

Year built

1963

Engines

1

Operator

Bussing Robert C

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Evansville → Springfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15CA011

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that 30 minutes after departure at 6,000 feet mean sea level, the airplane's door opened in flight. He stated that the temperature dropped, papers went flying about the cabin, and the noise was 'overwhelming.' The passenger tried to hold the door shut, but could not secured it. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport for landing. The pilot stated that he "simply forgot to put the gear down." The airplane touched down and skidded on its belly resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's stringers, formers, and main spar carry through. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.