# NTSB LAX85LA401: Beech P60, N973T, San Jose, CA, September 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1985, 19:00 local (Sep 24, 1985, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.329982, -121.769485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3300&lon=-121.7695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA401
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA401

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RNWY AND MADE CONTACT WITH A TAXIWAY MARKER WHICH WAS THEN THROWN AGAINST THE ACFT, PUNCTURING THE PRESSURE BULKHEAD COMPARTMENT. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT BRAKE ASSEMBLY REVEALED EVIDENCE OF LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID AND AN EMPTY FLUID RESERVOIR. THE 'O' RINGS IN THE LEFT BRAKE MIDDLE PISTON WERE FOUND TO BE 'FLATTENED'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N973T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N973T-1992-09-08), registration cancelled 1992-09-08, S/N P50 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH P60
- Registry model: [Beech 60](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-60) (registry code 1153602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-50
- Airframe hours: 2165
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540- 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Blake
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: RHV, Reid Hillview, runway 31R, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,965 total, 741 in this make and model, 1,905 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 5 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 19850923047579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850923047579A), Sep 23, 1985: Beech 60, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Left brake o rings flattened, leaked fluid. Swearved off runway side, hit taxiway sign. Sign punctured fuselage.

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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