# NTSB LAX79FA024: Grumman G73, N95DF, Catlina, CA, January 14, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 14, 1979
- Place: Catlina, CA · CATLINA, CA
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FA024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA024

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0198  79/1/14    CATLINA,CA          GRUMMAN G73         CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1640                    N95DF               PX-  0  0  9  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      31, 6500 TOTAL HOURS, 85
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LONG BEACH,CA               LONG BEACH,CA                CATLINA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE TEARAWAY                                          TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- ACFT HIT 3 WAVES HARD BREAKING L WING,L ENGINE TEAR AWAY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95DF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95DF-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N J-19, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G73
- Registry model: [Grumman G-73](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-73) (registry code 3951802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790114005669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790114005669A), Jan 14, 1979: Gulstm G73, Santa Catalina, CA, Substantial damage. Attempted Water take off with 2 to 3 ft swells. Hit a swell,knocked off left wing and engine. Acrft sank.

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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