Probable cause
The checklist not followed and the inadvertent wheels up landing by the pilot.
NTSB analysis
The airplane landed with the landing gear retracted on runway 5 (2,599 feet by 75 feet) following a visual approach to the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the touch down with the runway. The pilot was uninjured. During the recovery of the airplane, the cockpit landing gear control handle was in the down position and no landing gear circuit breakers were tripped. When the master switch was turned on, the landing gear extended and the landing gear position indicator(s) indicated that the landing gear was extended and locked down.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA236 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 2, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bay City, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- James Clements Muni (3CM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech H35
- N-number
- N5430D
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.