Middlesboro-Bell County Airport

06/19/2026

Ouch…..

*** Final Report ***

N35KA Beech V35 Gulf Shores, Alabama 17 FEB 2026

3 No Injuries

Pilot Flight Time:
PPL - 3195 hours (Total, all aircraft), 719 hours (Total, this make and model)

The pilot reported that during the takeoff he inadvertently retracted the landing gear prior to establishing a positive rate of climb. The pilot initially tried to continue the takeoff, and the airplane briefly became airborne before he then elected to reject the takeoff and land on the remaining runway. The airplane came to rest on its on the underside of the fuselage with the landing gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

Probable Cause and Findings:
Failure to establish a positive rate of climb before retracting the landing gear, which resulted in abnormal runway contact during the takeoff roll.

06/19/2026

*** Final Report ***

N9624J Piper PA-28-180 Monroe, North Carolina 23 FEB 2026

1 Serious, 2 Minor Injuries

Pilot Flight Time:
CPL - 1278.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 127.9 hours (Total, this make and model)
Pilot-rated passenger - 500 hours (Total, all aircraft), 6.8 hours (Total, this make and model)

The pilot reported that before landing in gusting crosswind conditions, he verified the crosswind component was within the capability of the airplane and completed the descent checklist. After crossing midfield, he entered the left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern and observed the windsock favoring runway 5, with wind “10-11 o’clock off the runway”. The before landing checklist was completed, and he planned to add 15 mph to his approach airspeed and utilize 20°of flaps. During final approach, reported wind was 340° at 15 knots, gusting to 27 knots. In the landing flare, the airplane encountered a “down forward forcing wind from the rear of the plane”, followed by a gust of wind from the left, before a go-around could be initiated. The airplane subsequently exited the runway, went over an embankment, and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings:
Failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

06/18/2026

06/10/2026

EKU is launching an air traffic control degree program next year.

More details ⬇️