# NTSB LAX74FUF52: Stits SA-3A, N431S, Rubidoux, CA, May 5, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 5, 1974
- Place: Rubidoux, CA · RUBIDOUX, CA
- Location: 33.9961° N, 117.4056° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rubidoux, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9961&lon=-117.4056&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX74FUF52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUF52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1088   74/5/5    RUBIDOUX,CALIF      STITS SA-3A         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 27, 73 TOTAL
        TIME - 1540                    N431S               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 0 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RIVERSIDE FLABOB
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RUBIDOUX,CALIF              SAN DIEGO,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT KNEW CG BEYOND AFT LIMITS.OBS IN ERRACTIC CLIMB OUT BFOR SPIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N431S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N431S-1974-05-17), registration cancelled 1974-05-17, S/N P-537, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITS SA-3A
- Registry model: [Stits SA3A PLAYBOY](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-sa3a-playboy) (registry code 86502KF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Riverside Flabob

## 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 19740505013709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740505013709A), May 5, 1974: Amtrsa STITSSJ, Rubidoux, CA, Destroyed. Plt knew CG beyond aft limits.OBS in erractic climb out bfor spin.

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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