Probable cause
The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15CA011 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 11, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Effingham, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Effingham County Memorial (1H2)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 35-B33
- N-number
- N718CD
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1963
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.