# NTSB LAX85LA029: Beech C24R, N66342, Montague, CA, October 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1984, 23:30 local (Oct 27, 1984, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Montague, CA
- Coordinates: 41.760639, -122.389297 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7606&lon=-122.3893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA029

## 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 - downwind
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - hydraulic system,seal - leak (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - not engaged (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - improper (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE AND COLLIDED WITH A COW AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID HE HAS NOTICED THE LANDING GEAR IN TRANSIT LIGHT COME ON AT ABOUT 10 MINUTE INTERVALS DURING THE FLT. HE SAID HE HAD NOTICED A RED FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE RT WING DURING HIS PREFLT. AT DESTINATION THE LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT EXTEND. THE IN TRANSIT LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE GEAR DOWN INDICATION DID NOT ACTIVATE. HE SAID HE TRIED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEM BUT COULD NOT OPEN THE COVER. HE MADE A RADIO CALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET HELP ON HOW TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION VALVE COVER. WHILE CIRCLING THE ACFT RAN OUT OF GAS. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION SHOWED A LEAK IN THE RT GEAR ACTUATOR. THE HYDRAULIC RESERVIOR WAS ALMOST EMPTY. THE PUMP WAS UNABLE TO BUILD UP PRESSURE TO EXTEND THE GEAR. THE 'O' RING WAS UNSEATED IN THE RIGHT ACTUATOR. THE EMERGENCY COVER WAS OPENED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N66342 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C24R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC688
- Airframe hours: 1237
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1984, 34 hours before
- Departed: WLW, WILLOWS, CA
- Destination: 106, DUNSMUIR, CA
- Airport: SIY, Siskiyou County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 128 total, 9 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19841026064839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841026064839A), Oct 26, 1984: Beech C24R, Montague, CA, Substantial damage. Gear failed to extend. Unskilled in emergency gear. Ran out of fuel. Hit cows on forced landing. Leak in actuator.

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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