# NTSB LAX85LA168: Boeing B75-N1, N844TH, Blythe, CA, March 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1985, 14:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Blythe, CA
- Coordinates: 33.750583, -114.510879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7506&lon=-114.5109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED. EXAM OF THE LEFT GEAR STRUT REVEALED PRESENCE OF A PREEXISTING CRACK. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE GEAR CASTING & IT WAS NOT VISIBLE DURING PREFLIGHT INSPECTIONS. THE ACFT REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN USED IN AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS BEFORE BEING ACQUIRED BY ITS PRESENT OWNER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N844TH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B75-N1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-7016
- Airframe hours: 6776
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William & Margaret Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 16, 1984
- Departed: CGZ, CASA GRANDE, AZ
- Destination: BLH, BLYTHE, CA
- Airport: BLH, Blythe, runway 26, 6,562 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 600 total, 36 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLH

## 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 19850305009209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850305009209A), Mar 5, 1985: Boeing A75N1, Blythe, CA, Substantial damage. Correction applied for slight swerve during landing rollout and left main collapsed. Gear strut failed, old crack.

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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