Piper PA-32R-301T N8386H

Summary

On 12 August 1995 at about 20:18 local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T registered N8386H, operated by D'ascoli, Vincent P, was involved in an accident near Truckee, California, United States. 4 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 August 1995 at 20:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Truckee, California, United States

Nearest airport

Truckee-Tahoe (TRK)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-301T

Registration

N8386H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

D'ascoli, Vincent P

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Jose → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95LA292

1 person had minor injuries.

A FAILURE IN THE AIRCRAFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE (OR INABILITY) TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEM. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AIRPLANE'S COURTESY LIGHT WAS LEFT ON, DEPLETING BATTERY POWER. THE PILOT STARTED THE ENGINE USING EXTERNAL POWER. THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INDICATED THE ALTERNATOR WAS CHARGING THE BATTERY DURING THE ENGINE RUN-UP. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH THE BATTERY STILL CHARGING. ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHILE THE GEAR MOTOR WAS RETRACTING THE LANDING GEAR, THE ELECTRICAL RADIO EQUIPMENT FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE PILOT RECYCLED THE MASTER SWITCH AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE APPROXIMATE 1 HOUR FLIGHT TO HIS DESTINATION WITHOUT ELECTRICAL POWER. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, SLOWED THE AIRPLANE, AND MANUALLY LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR. HE TURNED ON THE MASTER SWITCH FOR THE LANDING, AND THE SMELL RETURNED. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT ELECTRICAL POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE LANDING GEAR WAS SAFE. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.