# NTSB LAX99LA219: Beech A-36, N126GL, Van Nuys, CA, June 5, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 1999, 12:25 local (19:25 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.150856, -118.519721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1509&lon=-118.5197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46632 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46632/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA219 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to verify that the alternator was activated after engine start, subsequently resulting in a total electrical failure; and his inadequate emergency procedures for manual extension of the landing gear following the electrical failure. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - electrical system,battery - discharged (cause) - electrical system,alternator - not activated (cause) - alternator - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - electrical system - failure,total (cause) - Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - not activated - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - gear extension - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot had gone to another airport to practice takeoffs and landings and test the mode C transponder. After departure from the airport, he noted the navigational equipment was not functioning properly. On approach to the accident airport he noted that he was not receiving radio calls from the tower. He lowered the landing gear, obtained a three green light indication from the landing gear, and then lost electrical power. He believed that the landing gear was in the down and locked position due to the three green light indication prior to loss of electrical power, but did not verify it with the emergency gear down extension procedure published in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. Upon entering the airport environment, he received a green light indication from the tower for landing. On the landing rollout the gear collapsed. Tower personnel reported that the airplane entered the traffic pattern with no radio communication. When they did not receive a response from the pilot, they cleared him to land via a green light signal. Tower personnel did note that they saw the landing gear down, but could not tell if it was in the locked position. The battery and alternator were inspected. The battery was found to have a 6-volt charge. The alternator circuit breaker had not been tripped inside the cockpit, and when it was tested no discrepancies were noted. The pilot stated that after engine start from the battery, the alternator switch has to be manually turned on. He did not recall turning the alternator to the on position after engine startup. ## Factual narrative On June 5, 1999, at 1225 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech A-36, N126GL, landed gear up on runway 16R at the Van Nuys, California, airport. The airplane, operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that departed the Van Nuys airport at 1100, with a stop at the Oxnard, California, airport. The flight was scheduled to terminate at the Van Nuys airport. No flight plan was filed. The pilot had gone to another airport to practice takeoffs and landings and test the mode C transponder. After departure from the alternate airport, he noted that his navigational equipment was not working properly. He stated that he was not concerned with this as he was familiar with the area. On approach to the accident airport he noted that he was not receiving radio calls from the tower. He lowered the gear, obtained a three green light indication from the landing gear, and then lost electrical power. He reported that he received a green light from the tower for landing. On the landing rollout the gear collapsed. Tower personnel reported that the airplane entered the traffic pattern for runway 16R on a right base, with no radio communication. They attempted to communicate with the accident airplane and when they received no response they flashed a green landing light signal clearing the pilot to land. Tower personnel did note that they saw the landing gear down, but could not tell if it was in the locked position. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that after departing from Oxnard, no discrepancies were noted until he was over Simi Valley and lost all of his radios. He stated that he lowered the landing gear and saw three green lights, and then he had a total electrical failure. The pilot reported that he continued his flight to Van Nuys and then circled west of the airport waiting for a green light from the tower. The pilot stated that after receiving the green light indication from the tower, he "thought the landing gear was in the down and locked position." The FAA inspector stated that during the interview the pilot did not make reference to the Pilot's Operating Handbook for emergency procedures to circumvent the electrical problem, or manual extension of the landing gear. The FAA inspected the battery and found it indicated 6 volts. The pilot reported that after the engine is started from the battery he manually switches the alternator to the on position. In the interview with the FAA, the pilot could not recall if he had turned the alternator switch to the on position. Visual inspection of the alternator circuit breaker revealed that it had not been tripped. The FAA tested the alternator and found it to operate with no discrepancies. The pilot was interviewed by the airport police and stated that he lost his navigational system and then radio communications. He reported that he rocked his wings back and forth, was given a green light from the tower to land, and assumed that the landing gear was down prior to the electrical failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N126GL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N126GL), registered now, S/N E-763, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A-36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-763 - Airframe hours: 1881 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BA12 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Temple, Hunter M. Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1999 - Departed: VNY - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16R, 8,001 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 65 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY ## 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 19990605021999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990605021999A), Jun 5, 1999: Beech A36, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. On June 5, 1999, at 1225 hours pacific daylight time, a Beech A-36, N126GL, landed gear up on runway 16R at the Van Nuys, California, airport. The aircraft,… 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.