Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN89LA095

LAMAR, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N3042Z

BEECH F33A

Analysis

DRG A X-COUNTRY FLT THE ALTERNATOR OUT LIGHT ILLUMINATED & THE PLT DIVERTED TO THE CLOSEST ARPT WHICH WAS AT LAMAR, CO. THE ACFT ARRIVED AT LAMAR WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEPLETED. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR WITH THE NORMAL (ELECTRICAL) SYSTEM, SO SHE EXTENDED THE GEAR MANUALLY TO WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION. SHE SAID THE ENG OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS INDICATING LOW, SO SHE ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ALL THREE GEAR COLLAPSED. BEFORE STOPPING, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD & WAS FURTHER DAMAGED. A POST-ACDNT INSPN OF THE ACFT REVEALED AN ALTERNATOR BEARING HAD FAILED. NO REASON FOR THE RPRTD DROP IN OIL PRESSURE WAS FND.

Probable Cause and Findings

FAILURE OF AN ALTERNATOR BEARING WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AFTER THE BATTERY BECAME DISCHARGED, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INSURE THE GEAR WAS FULLY EXTENDED DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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