Thermal - Livermore

On May 3, 1985 at 09:42 PM, Thermal - Livermore experienced a crash involving Swearingen SA226T Merlin III, operated by Landmark Land Company, with the event recorded near Livermore California.

The flight was categorized as executive/corporate/business and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft landed hard and short of the runway. The impact collapsed the right main landing gear and the aircraft was destroyed by the post crash fire. The pilot reported that on short final a muffled 'pop' was heard and the aircraft yawed to the right. Directional control was regained and the aircraft landed hard. Post accident inspection failed to disclose any pre-impact failure/malfunction of the aircraft or engines. Right engine propeller slash marks in the runway indicate power was being produced on the engine at touchdown. Both pilots were uninjured.

Aircraft reference details include registration N444LM, MSN T-295, year of manufacture 1978.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 37.6821°, -121.7681°.