# NTSB LAX84LA128: Beech C-45H, N3736G, Coolidge, AZ, January 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1984, 17:00 local (Jan 2, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Coolidge, AZ
- Location: 32.9360° N, 111.4265° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at COOLIDGE MUNI (P08), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9360&lon=-111.4265&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 11 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24136/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF POWER, THE LEFT ENG BACKFIRED DUE TO A POSSIBLE TOO SUDDEN APPLICATION OF POWER. HE SAID THAT DUE TO 'INATTENTION' HE LET THE ACFT 'DRIFT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.' JUST AFTER THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE IT 'IMMEDIATELY STARTED A ROLL TO THE LEFT,' AND DESPITE 'FULL RIGHT AILERON AND RUDDER,'THE LEFT WING SCRAPED THE GROUND. HE REJECTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO TRANSPORT PARACHUTISTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3736G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3736G-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N AF-715, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-45H
- Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AF-715
- Airframe hours: 3350
- Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas A. Wells
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1983, 37 hours before
- Airport: P08, Coolidge Municipal, runway 23, 5,550 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,423 total, 1,503 in this make and model, 94,031 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 41 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 19840101000139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840101000139A), Jan 1, 1984: Beech C45H, Coolidge, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control of aircraft during takeoff roll.

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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