# NTSB LAX85LA236: Fairchild SA226T, N444LM, Livermore, CA, May 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1985, 21:42 local (May 4, 1985, 04:42 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.6795, -121.750869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6795&lon=-121.7509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - descent - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD AND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE IMPACT COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY THE POST CRASH FIRE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT ON SHORT FINAL A MUFFLED 'POP' WAS HEARD AND THE ACFT YAWED TO THE RIGHT. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS REGAINED AND THE ACFT LANDED HARD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENGS. RIGHT ENG PROP SLASH MARKS IN THE RWY INDICATE PWR WAS BEING PRODUCED ON THE ENG AT TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N444LM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD SA226T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T295
- Airframe hours: 3468
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-33134303G 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Landmark Land Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 6, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: TRM, THERMAL, CA
- Destination: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Airport: LVK, Livermore, runway 25, 4,005 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 12,700 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVK

## 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 19850503074969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850503074969A), May 3, 1985: Swrngn SA226T, Livermore, CA, Destroyed. Hard landing short of runway. Right main collapsed, aircraft destroyed by fire. No mechanical malfunction found.

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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