# NTSB LAX85LVD01: Piper PA-24-250, N6012P, Navato, CA, March 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1985, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Navato, CA
- Coordinates: 38.099502, -122.629844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0995&lon=-122.6298&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): 24855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LVD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LVD01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - inoperative
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - burned
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,gear warning system - not switched (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED GEAR UP. THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO LAND THE LNDG GEAR WARNING SOUNDED. HE APPLIED POWER BUT THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH A SCRAPING NOISE. HE DOES NOT REMEMBER SEEING A GREEN LITE FOR GEAR DWN INDICATION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR THE LNDG GEAR MOTOR WAS TRIPPED. ALSO THE LANDING GEAR INDICATION WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A BURNED WIRE CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6012P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6012P-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 241106 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1160
- Airframe hours: 1908
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alec B Barry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1985, 11 hours before
- Departed: CCA, CONCORD, CA
- Destination: 056, NOVATO, CA
- Airport: 056, Gnoss, runway 31, 3,300 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 680 total, 96 in this make and model, 610 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850328015779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850328015779A), Mar 28, 1985: Piper PA24250, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to check gear down light. Gear motor working but circuit breaker popped. Gear light wire corroded, burned.

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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