# NTSB LAX79FUJ73: Douglas C-54D, N44905, Mesa, AZ, May 15, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 15, 1979
- Place: Mesa, AZ · MESA, AZ
- Location: 33.4223° N, 111.8226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesa, AZ, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4223&lon=-111.8226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FUJ73
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUJ73

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1901  79/5/15    MESA,AZ             DOUGLAS C-54D       CR-  0  2  0  MISCELLANEOUS             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1455                    N44905              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      56, 12127 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            4399 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FALCON FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MESA,AZ                     CHANDLER,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CHECKLIST-FAILED TO USE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - GUST LOCKS ENGAGED
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44905](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44905-1981-02-09), registration cancelled 1981-02-09, S/N 22159, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS C-54D
- Registry model: [Douglas C54D-DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c54d-dc) (registry code 3021522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Falcon Field

## 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 19790515018139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790515018139A), May 15, 1979: Doug C54DDC, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed. Attempted takeoff with flight controls in locked mode. Factor inadequate pre-flight check.

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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