NTSB Identification: LAX85LA248.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 27944.
Accident occurred Saturday, May 04, 1985 in BAKER, CA
Aircraft: PIPER PA-32-300, registration: N15259
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.PLT BECAME LOST ON A DAYLIGHT VFR FLT AND WAS UNABLE, BECAUSE OF HER LOW ALTITUDE, TO RECEIVE ANY NAV RADIO AIDS OR ESTABLISH RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. BECAUSE OF APCH DARKNESS AND A LOW FUEL STATE SHE ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A DIRT STRIP. THE DIRT STRIP HAD SO FT SAND SHOULDERS. ON TOUCHDOWN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS 3 FT LEFT OF THE PACKED DIRT, IN THE SOFT SAND. IT SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT STRUCTURE. PLT REPORTED NO ACFT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PROPER ALIGNMENT..NOT FOLLOWED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LANDING GEAR,MAIN GEAR..OVERLOAD
Contributing Factors
PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LANDING GEAR,NOSE GEAR..OVERLOAD
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..SOFT
Contributing Factors
BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED..INADVERTENT..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
PRECAUTIONARY LANDING..PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..DUSK
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT..PILOT IN COMMAND
Index for May1985 | Index of months