Piper PA-24-250 accident near Visalia, California, May 5, 1984
On May 5, 1984 at about 11:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-250, registered N5597P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Visalia, California (Visalia airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 1984 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Visalia, California · Visalia
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250 · all PA-24-250s on the register
- Registration
- N5597P · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHEN THE PLT ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION, HE WAS UNABLE TO FULLY EXTEND THE GEAR. HE DIVERTED TO VISALIA, CA. AFTER REDUCING THE FUEL LOAD, HE MADE AN INTENTIONAL, POWER-OFF, WHEELS-UP LANDING. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT NOSE GEAR BELLCRANK ASSY HAD CAUGHT ON THE EDGE OF A BOX PLATE AS THE GEAR WAS BEING EXTENDED. SINCE ALL 3 GEAR WORKED TOGETHER, THIS ALSO PREVENTED THE MAIN GEAR FROM FULLY EXTENDING.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,165 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 1,095 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,050 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 30, 1983
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 59S Vancouver WA at 6:30 pm
- Destination: CCB Upland CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 6,559 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.