# NTSB LAX83FA435: Cassutt 3-M, N2309E, Mesa, AZ, September 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.439521, -111.8507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4395&lon=-111.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA435
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA435

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A STREET LAMP WHILE PULLING UP FROM A LOW PASS OVER A DRY RIVER BED. THIS EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR BUILT ACFT WAS OPERATING OUTSIDE THE PRESCRIBED BOUNDARIES FOR THIS ACFT. WITNESSES DISAGREED ON THE ENGINE SOUNDS. SOMEDESCRIBED THE ENGINE AS LOUD AND STRONG. OTHERS SAID IT WAS SPUTTERING AND MISSING. ALL AGREED THAT THE ACFT FLEW LOW (ABOUT 50-75 FT AGL) OVER THE RIVERBED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH FUEL TANK INDICATORS READ EMPTY. THE MAIN FUEL TANK WAS PUNCTURED. THE AUX TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 1/8 GALLON OF FUEL. NO FUELING INFORMATION COULD BE OBTAINED. THE FUELING FACILITY AT FALCON FIELD HAD NO RECORD OF ANY PURCHASE BY THE PLT. THE PROPELLER WAS METAL AND PRESENTED EXTREME TWISTING WITH MULTIPLE UNDIFFERENTIATED GOUGES AND SCRATCHES BOTH BLADES WERE BENT FOWARD AND THE TOP OF ONE BLADE WAS MISSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2309E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2309E-1983-09-10), registration cancelled 1983-09-10, S/N 12345, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASSUTT 3-M
- Registry model: [Fritts-David CASSUTT-3M](https://openairdocs.org/model/fritts-david-cassutt-3m) (registry code 1970351) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 12345
- Airframe hours: 83
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Ffield
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 16, 1983, 11 hours before
- Departed: P16, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 13 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 15 nm away

## 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 19830910047789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830910047789A), Sep 10, 1983: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed. Aircraft collided with street lamp. Possibility that pilot was attempting emergency landing.

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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