Piper PA-31-310 Navajo crash, Jan 31, 1989, Sparks
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident on January 31, 1989 near Sparks, Nevada, United States with no fatalities. Cause: The pilot misjudged the forced...
- Date: January 31, 1989
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
- Location: Sparks, Nevada, United States
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: The pilot misjudged the forced landing profile, with the failure of the right turbocharger and improper handling of the landing gear as contributing factors.
A Piper Navajo operated by Ricardt Investment was flying at night from Reno to Long Beach when its right engine lost power in the climb. The pilot could not get a safe gear indication, overshot the approach and landed in an unlit parking lot, striking a tree, a power line and parked vehicles. Both occupants were injured.