# NTSB LAX84FA361: Cessna 404, N5340J, San Francisco, CA, June 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1984, 09:14 local (16:14 UTC)
- Place: San Francisco, CA
- Coordinates: 37.610725, -122.379638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6107&lon=-122.3796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA361
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA361

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,cargo/baggage - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - door,cargo/baggage - open (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR OF THE ACFT CAME OPEN RIGHT AFTER THE GEAR WAS RAISED DURING TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT BEGAN TO PITCH UP & ROLL RIGHT. HE FELT THAT CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS IN DOUBT, SO HE ABORTED THE INTERSECTION TAKEOFF & LANDED GEAR-UP ON THE REMAINING RWY. NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE UNDAMAGED NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5340J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 404
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4040662
- Airframe hours: 1559
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-M 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Sierra Express Inc
- Registered owner: Tonkin Bertram
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 1984, 66 hours before
- Departed: SFO
- Destination: SFO, RENO, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SFO, San Francisco Intl, runway 28R, 11,800 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,837 total, 38 in this make and model, 1,781 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFO

## 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 19840620040979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840620040979A), Jun 20, 1984: Cessna 404CESSNA, San Francisco, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed gear up after left forward baggage door came open. Pilot elected to land on remaining runway.

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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