Beech A100 accident near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, March 12, 2019
On March 12, 2019 at about 5:36 pm local time, a 1972 Beech A100, registered N945WS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Latrobe, Pennsylvania (Arnold Palmer Rgnl airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A landing gear collapse due to the separation of the actuator pinion bearing support from the actuator, which resulted in the failure of the actuator shaft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 12, 2019 · about 5:36 pm local time
- Place
- Latrobe, Pennsylvania · Arnold Palmer Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A100 UNDESIGNAT, built 1972 · all A100s on the register
- Registration
- N945WS · no longer on the register · serial B-94
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while lowering the landing gear handle in preparation for landing, he and the co-pilot heard a crunching noise. He noticed that the landing gear indicator lights did not turn green, and the crew was unable to extend the gear manually. The crew diverted to an airport with emergency equipment and a control tower. Following a fly-by, the tower controller reported that the landing gear appeared to be extended; however, during the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, followed by the right main landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed that the main landing gear mechanical linkage was compromised, and the right main landing gear actuator shaft was broken. A mechanic examined the airplane and found that the actuator pinion bearing support had separated from the actuator for undetermined reasons, causing a side load to the actuator and initiating the fracture.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 20,611 hours in all; 850.7 in this make and model; 10.1 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: August 1, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 9,400 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 1, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,984 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, March 1, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 11,500 lb
- Seats: 9
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Honeywell TPE-331 (turboprop); 10,995 hours total
- Engine 2: Honeywell TPE-331 (turboprop); 10,995 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CXY Harrisburg PA at 4:00 pm
- Destination: FWQ Monongahela PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 24, 8,222 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 5:47 pm from KLBE, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on October 15, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Mechanic Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.