# NTSB LAX83LA299: Piper PA-28R-180, N7449J, Tracy, CA, June 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1983, 19:00 local (Jun 23, 1983, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.729137, -121.420578 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7291&lon=-121.4206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA299

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - failure,partial (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING WHILE ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. ON THE SEVENTH APPROACH FOR LANDING THE NOSE GEAR GREEN LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THE CFI CONTINUED THE APPROACH WHILE TAPPING ON THE BULB. WHEN HE DECIDED TO GO AROUND THE ACFT HAD DESCENDED SO LOW THAT IT IMPACTED THE RWY HARD ENOUGH TO BEND THE LEFT WING MAIN SPAR. A GO-AROUND AND LANDING WAS MADE AND THE ACFT RECEIVED NO FURTHER DAMAGE. THE NOSE GEAR LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE FOR THE FINAL LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7449J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7449J-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 28R-30798, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30798
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Squadron II
- Registered owner: Frank R. Mason
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 1, 1982
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: 036, Tracy Muni, runway 25, 3,418 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,433 total, 203 in this make and model, 6,230 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °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 19830622060289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830622060289A), Jun 22, 1983: Piper PA28R180, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. No nose gear down light. Made hard one wheel landing while preoccupied with gear light. Went around. Landed normal.

## Other investigations on N7449J (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX7600016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX7600016), Feb 20, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N7449J), Ensenada, Mexico, substantial damage

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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