# NTSB LAX84LA161: Cessna 401A, N7KF, San Francisco, CA, January 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1984, 13:38 local (21:38 UTC)
- Place: San Francisco, CA
- Coordinates: 37.609336, -122.379859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6093&lon=-122.3799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - pneumatic system - no pressure (cause)
  - maintenance,pressurizing - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED GEAR UP AFTER ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE GEAR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED BECAUSE THE NOSE GEAR JAMMED THE MAIN GEAR DURING RETRACTION. THE JAMMING OCCURRED BECAUSE THE NOSE STRUT DID NOT EXTEND DUE TO LACKOF AIR PRESSURE. THE AIR CHARGE ADDED AFTER THE ACCIDENT WAS HOLDING 3 WEEKS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7KF-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 401A0110, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401A
- Registry model: [Cessna 401A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401a) (registry code 207590D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4010110
- Airframe hours: 4592
- Engines: CONTINENTAL ISIO 520-E8 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: James W. Raymond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1984, 2 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SFO, Sanfrancisco Intn'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 91 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °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 19840128001619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840128001619A), Jan 28, 1984: Cessna 401A, San Francisco, CA, Substantial damage. Gear up landing was made due to nose wheel door actuating arms jamming the nose wheel up.

## Other investigations on N7KF (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 DFW05LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA165), Jun 20, 2005: Cessna 401A (N7KF), Houston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power to both engines due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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