# NTSB DEN92LA049: Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, N45033, Montrose, CO, April 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1992, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Montrose, CO
- Coordinates: 38.489536, -107.869056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4895&lon=-107.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA049

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING ROLL.  A FACTOR WAS:  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH WHICH RAN PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING LANDING, WITH WHAT THE PILOT REPORTED AS A QUARTERING TAIL WIND, CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DITCH, AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45033](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45033), registered now, S/N 2614, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3
- Registry model: [Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/naval-aircraft-factory-n3n-3) (registry code 6120202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2614
- Airframe hours: 8270
- Engines: P&W R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerald M. Miller
- Registered owner: Gerald M. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: 0C05, MACK, CO
- Destination: MTJ
- Airport: MTJ, Montrose County, runway 12, 8,497 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,179 total, 53 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920430015389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920430015389A), Apr 30, 1992: Naval N3N3, Montrose, CO, Substantial damage. Swerved off runway on landing. Struck a ditch and nosed over.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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