Beech 58 Gear Collapsed During September 2024 Takeoff
An NTSB investigation determined that damaged wiring caused an unexpected landing gear retraction in Raleigh.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Accidents
Live Poll
Do you trust that modern aircraft safety procedures sufficiently protect pilots from sudden mechanical failures?
In September 2024, a Beech 58 aircraft suffered a landing gear collapse during its takeoff roll at an airport in Raleigh, North Carolina. The plane sustained substantial damage to its lower fuselage as it slid to a stop on the runway.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the critical safety implications of wire bundle maintenance in aging aircraft systems. The failure resulted in the inadvertent retraction of the landing gear despite the control handle remaining in the down position.
The NTSB finalized the report under identification number 195098. Authorities confirmed the landing gear selector switch wire bundle was damaged, causing the gear to retract mid-roll.
The players
NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged with investigating civil aviation accidents in the United States.
The details
During the takeoff roll, the landing gear selector switch wire bundle malfunctioned, triggering the retraction mechanism. The pilot immediately reduced throttles to idle and applied brakes, bringing the damaged aircraft to a stop on the runway.
Timeline
The aircraft accident occurred in September 2024.
Legal Context
The NTSB 195098 investigation provides a specific case study for electrical system failure analysis in general aviation. This report follows the standard investigative pattern established for evaluating mechanical wire fatigue in similar accidents.
The incident underscores the importance of thorough pre-flight inspections regarding electrical integrity for private pilots and local aircraft owners. Residents in the vicinity of the airport should be aware that such mechanical failures can lead to sudden, uncontrolled movements on runways.
The takeaway
Pilots should prioritize detailed electrical system diagnostics to prevent similar inadvertent system activations during takeoff. Proper maintenance of wire bundles is essential to ensure that control inputs correctly override potential mechanical failures.
Further reading
For more information on regional safety incidents, visit the Raleigh Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by General Aviation News.
Live Poll
Do you trust that modern aircraft safety procedures sufficiently protect pilots from sudden mechanical failures?
