Beech A36 accident near Summerland Key, Florida, November 23, 2018
On November 23, 2018 at about 1:20 pm local time, a 1981 Beech A36, registered N41VK, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Summerland Key, Florida (Summerland Key Cove Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during landing rollout, resulting in a landing gear collapse.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 2018 · about 1:20 pm local time
- Place
- Summerland Key, Florida · Summerland Key Cove Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 UNDESIGNAT, built 1981 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N41VK · registry record · serial E-1885
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during taxi after landing on a 2,550-ft-long asphalt runway, he intended to retract the flaps, but accidently retracted the landing gear, resulting in the nose gear and right main landing gear collapsing on the runway. The pilot added that that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the accident site revealed runway scrape marks and propeller strikes originating about 1,000 ft beyond the approach end of the runway. The marks extended about 500 ft and terminated at the wreckage, off the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear remained extended and the right wing and lower fuselage sustained damage. The length of scrape marks and extent of damage were consistent with a landing gear collapse during a high-speed landing rollout, rather than a low-speed taxi after landing. The airplane was equipped with a squat switch on both main landing gear to prevent inadvertent landing gear retraction on the ground; however, the switch required weight-on-wheels to work effectively. It's likely that the pilot bounced the landing and attempted to retract the flaps in an effort to settle the airplane on the runway for better wheel braking; however, without weight on the right main landing gear, the gear retracted when the pilot inadvertently moved the landing gear lever instead of the flap lever.
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 Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,891 hours in all; 999,999 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,851 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,525 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 7, 2018; 70 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,651 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 598 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PMP Pompano Beach FL at 12:15 pm
- Destination: FD51 Summerland Key FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 12, 2,550 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from NQX, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on February 28, 2022. 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 | Interview Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Interview Summary 2 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N41VK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.