Fife LANCAIR 320 N96GF

Summary

On 15 June 1998 at about 20:00 local time, a Fife LANCAIR 320 registered N96GF was involved in an accident near Palm Springs, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 June 1998 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Palm Springs, California, United States

Nearest airport

Palm Springs Regional (PSP)

Coordinates

33.8493, -116.5599

Aircraft

Fife LANCAIR 320

Registration

N96GF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Prescott → Oceanside

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA204

Nobody was injured.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.