# NTSB LAX86FA114: Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, N45105, Middletown, CA, February 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1986, 15:46 local (23:46 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, CA
- Coordinates: 38.779953, -122.579071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7800&lon=-122.5791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained (cause)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire/explosion, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED THE PRIVATELY OWNED DIRT STRIP ON A SALES DEMONSTRATION FLT. THE PIC OCCUPIED THE REAR SEAT AND THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER OCCUPIED THE FRONT SEAT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE ACFT ENTERED INTO A COURSE REVERSAL TURN. DURING THE TURN THE ACFT STALLED. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO RECOVER TO A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE PRIOR TO THE INITIAL GROUND CONTACT. AFTER GROUND CONTACT THE ACFT BOUNCED AND STRUCK THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING/NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK LINE RUPTURED AND A POST IMPACT FIRE BEGAN. THE ACFT ROTATED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST RIGHT SIDE UP. THE OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE BURNING ACFT. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN WITHIN THE PRECEDING FOUR MONTHS. GROUND WITNESSES COULD NOT STATE IF EITHER PLT HAD PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND IF THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED PRIOR TO FLT. FUEL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE FUEL SUPPLY TANK WERE FREE OF ANY CONTAMINATION. THE ENG EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION/FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N45105 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY N3N-3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2611
- Airframe hours: 2679
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN-1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen J. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: MIDDLETOWN, CA
- Airport: 7m Ranch, runway 30, 5,000 × 200 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,723 total, 35 in this make and model, 2,405 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860208005119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860208005119A), Feb 8, 1986: Naval N3N3, Middletown, CA, Destroyed. Engine ran rough on takeoff. Crashed and burned. Sat for months in numerous rain showers. Fuel sumps not drained.

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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