# NTSB LAX84LA333: Jakel Barracuda, N44HJ, Lakeport, CA, June 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1984, 17:30 local (Jun 3, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Lakeport, CA
- Coordinates: 39.159172, -122.750526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1592&lon=-122.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA333

## 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
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - inadequate (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE GEAR USING NORMAL PROCEDURES. HE SUBSEQUENTLY USED THE EMERGENCY RELEASE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO FREE FALL THE GEAR INTO THE DOWN POSITION. THREE 'CLUNKS' WERE HEARD & THREE SREEN LIGHTS INDICATED THE GEAR WERE DOWN & LOCKED. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED ON TOUCHDOWN. THE PLT, WHO BUILT THE ACFT, STATED THAT THE SMALL SPRINGS THAT HOLD THE LANDING GEAR IN A LOCKED & OVER-CENTER POSITION WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44HJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: JAKEL BARRACUDA
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helmut Leo Jakel
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1983, 2 hours before
- Departed: MCE, MERCED, CA
- Destination: 102, LAKEPORT, CA
- Airport: runway 28, 3,450 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 206 total, 76 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19840602024389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840602024389A), Jun 2, 1984: Amtrjf BARRACUDA, Lakeport, CA, Destroyed. Right main gear collapsed on landing. Had tried to free fall gear when hydraulics failed. Downlock springs too weak

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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