# NTSB LAX85LA248: Piper PA-32-300, N15259, Baker, CA, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1985, 19:46 local (May 5, 1985, 02:46 UTC)
- Place: Baker, CA
- Coordinates: 35.310981, -116.039955 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3110&lon=-116.0400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA248

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT BECAME LOST ON A DAYLIGHT VFR FLT AND WAS UNABLE, BECAUSE OF HER LOW ALTITUDE, TO RECEIVE ANY NAV RADIO AIDS OR ESTABLISH RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. BECAUSE OF APCH DARKNESS AND A LOW FUEL STATE SHE ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A DIRT STRIP. THE DIRT STRIP HAD SO FT SAND SHOULDERS. ON TOUCHDOWN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS 3 FT LEFT OF THE PACKED DIRT, IN THE SOFT SAND. IT SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT STRUCTURE. PLT REPORTED NO ACFT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15259](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15259-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 32-7340026, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7340026
- Airframe hours: 1173
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Equipair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1984, 120 hours before
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: Halloran Springs, runway 5, 2,400 × 45 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 304 total, 7 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAG, 55 nm away

## 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 19850504019339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850504019339A), May 4, 1985: Piper PA32300, Baker, CA, Substantial damage. Precautionary landing made after being lost and near dark. Landed in soft sand collapsing gear, ground looped.

## Other investigations on N15259 (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 LAX87LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA182), Apr 19, 1987: Piper PA-32-300 (N15259), Lincoln, CA, substantial damage

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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