PALM SPRINGS, CA, USA
N96GF
Fife LANCAIR 320
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.
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.
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.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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