# NTSB LAX98LA204: Fife Lancair 320, N96GF, Palm Springs, CA, June 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1998, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.849334, -116.55986 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8493&lon=-116.5599&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30125/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA204 ## Probable cause A failure of the electrical system for undetermined reasons. The pilot's decision to continue flight with a suspected electrical system anomaly is a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - electrical system - failure (cause) - electrical system,battery - discharged - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - inoperative ## Analysis After refueling, the aircraft had to be jump-started by a ground power source. After takeoff, the main circuit breaker tripped and the pilot manually reset it with a positive charge shown on the ammeter. About 30 minutes into the flight the pilot noted that the radio and fuel transfer pump were weak, and he reduced all nonessential electrical loads. A short time later the pilot noted that the header tank was 1/3 full, and attempted to make a precautionary landing. The pilot stated that he attempted to manually extend the landing gear, however, only the right main extended. After touchdown the airplane slid off the runway. The aircraft was moved prior to examination and the source of the electrical malfunction could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 1998, at 1300 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur built experimental Fife Lancair 320, N96GF, landed with only the right main landing gear extended during a precautionary landing on runway 13L at the Palm Springs, California, airport. The aircraft, operated under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that had originated from Albuquerque, New Mexico, the day of the accident. A refueling stop was made in Prescott, Arizona, at 1105 mountain standard time and the flight was scheduled to terminate at the Oceanside, California, airport. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that after refueling in Prescott he was unable to start the engine, and had to obtain a jump-start from a ground power source. After takeoff, he noted that the autopilot was not working and the main 50-amp circuit breaker had tripped. The pilot stated that he reset the circuit breaker and the ammeter showed a positive charge. Approximately 30 minutes after takeoff, he noted that the "radio [was] weak, also noticed fuel transfer pump weak." The pilot stated that he shut off all electrical power except for the transfer pump. Approximately 45 minutes later he noted that the header tank was 1/3 full. The pilot stated that he looked for an alternate airport to make a precautionary landing. He circled over the airport and attempted to manually extend the landing gear but only the right main gear fully extended. He landed on runway 13L with no flaps and came to rest off of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office reported that the pilot trucked the airplane back to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it was not inspected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96GF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96GF), registered now, S/N 633-320-378, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fife LANCAIR 320 (LANCAIR 32) - Registry model: [Fife Glade W LANCAIR 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/fife-glade-w-lancair-320) (registry code 05602HD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2a) (registry code 42120, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 633-320-378 - Airframe hours: 46 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glade W. Fife - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 15, 1996, 46 hours before - Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ - Destination: OCN, OCEANSIDE, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PSP, Palm Springs Regional, runway 13L, 4,952 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; flight hours: 3,969 total, 52 in this make and model, 3,969 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 18 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PSP ## 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 19980615023549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980615023549A), Jun 15, 1998: Amtr LANCAIR320, Philipsburg, PA, Substantial damage. Dead battery fuel stop. Jump started. Enroute alternator breaker popped. Elected psb. Unable right gear manually. (.19) on June 15, 1998, at 1300 hours pacific… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.