Amateur-built LANCAIR 320 accident near Palm Springs, California, June 15, 1998
On June 15, 1998 at about 8:00 pm local time, a amateur-built LANCAIR 320, registered N96GF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palm Springs, California (Palm Springs Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 1998 · about 8:00 pm local time · cases in 1998
- Place
- Palm Springs, California · Palm Springs Regional · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LANCAIR 320 LANCAIR 32
- Registration
- N96GF · registry record · serial 633-320-378
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,969 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 3,969 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 46 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, August 15, 1996; 46 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRC Prescott AZ at 6:05 pm
- Destination: OCN Oceanside CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 13L, 4,952 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from PSP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N96GF on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 27,303 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Palm Springs International · nearest airport
- Prescott Rgnl/Ernest A Love Field · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,080 since 1982 · 1,096 in the last ten years
- California 28,112 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/LAX98LA204.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.