# NTSB LAX82DA216: North American 0-47B, N4725V, Porterville, CA, June 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1982, 18:20 local (Jun 12, 1982, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.959819, -118.920257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9598&lon=-118.9203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA216

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL FOR LANDING, THE PILOT WAS LEADING A FLIGHT OF FIVE DISSIMILAR AIRCRAFT. AFTER PITCHING OUT IN A 360 DEGREE, OVERHEAD APPROACH, THE PILOT FLEW A FAIRLY TIGHT PATTERN. ON BASE, WHEN HE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE FELT THE GEAR LOCK IN PLACE, HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AS ANOTHER AIRCRAFT PASSED BENEATH HIS NOSE. THE LANDING GEAR INDICATOR WAS AN EARLY MODEL THAT WAS DIFFICULT TO READ. ALSO, IT WAS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF A PANEL WHERE IT WAS HARD TO SEE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE POSITION OF THE GEAR HANDLE SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL AS THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE. AS HE FLARED FOR LANDING, HE STARTED TO GO-AROUND WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE PROPELLER HIT THE SURFACE AS HE SETTLED WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE AND SLID TO A STOP. THE FUEL SUMP DRAIN FOR THE MAIN TANK WAS LOCATED AT THE LOWEST PART OF THE FUSELAGE. WHILE SLIDING TO A STOP, THE DRAIN GROUND OFF AND A FIRE STARTED. NO FIRE EQUIPMENT WAS READILY AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4725V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4725V), registered now, S/N 25-554, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN 0-47B
- Registry model: [North American 047B](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-047b) (registry code 6402202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright 1820G-2-3&5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-1820g-2-3-5) (registry code 67025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25554
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820G-2 1000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David E. Lyon
- Registered owner: Planes Of Fame, Inc/World War
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Destination: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Airport: PTV, Porterville, runway 30, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,315 total, 52 in this make and model, 3,750 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 265° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820611024549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820611024549A), Jun 11, 1982: Namer O47B, Porterville, CA, Destroyed. Activated gear lever, failed to check gear down visually. Landed gear up. Ruptured fel drain. Caused ground fire.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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