# NTSB LAX77FUM27: Naval Fcty N3N-3, N44875, Brawley, CA, April 14, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 14, 1977
- Place: Brawley, CA · BRAWLEY, CA
- Location: 32.9785° N, 115.5286° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brawley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9785&lon=-115.5286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUM27
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUM27

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0595  77/4/14    BRAWLEY,CA          NAVAL FCTY N3N-3    CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1750                    N44875              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   AGE 40, 12673 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 600 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VONDRAHAE STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BRAWLEY,CA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT: SPRAY,DUSTING EQUIPMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FIRE IN CABIN,COCKPIT,BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  40
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- ABORTED DUE EXPLOSION IN HOPPER,SULPHUR LOAD. PLT UN SEE DUE FLAMES & FUMES. DUSTING BEETS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44875](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44875-1977-06-01), registration cancelled 1977-06-01, S/N 3065 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVAL FCTY N3N-3
- Registry model: [Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/naval-aircraft-factory-n3n-3) (registry code 6120202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Vondrahae Strip

## 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 19770414007319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770414007319A), Apr 14, 1977: Naval N3N3, Brawley, CA, Destroyed. Aborted due explosion in hopper,sulphur load. Plt un see due flames & fumes. Dusting beets.

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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