# NTSB LAX87DUJ03: Solem KR-2, N3762S, Mesa, AZ, December 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1986, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.429985, -111.709579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4300&lon=-111.7096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUJ03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,elevator - flutter (cause)
  - flight control,elevator attachment - disconnected (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE CONTROL STICK SHUDDERED AND HE FELT 'BACK PRESSURE' ON THE STICK. THE NOSE STARTED PITCHING UP SO HE PUSHED FORWARD ON THE STICK. HE CONTINUED PUSHING THE STICK FORWARD UNTIL IT REACHED THE FORWARD STOPS. DESPITE THIS, THE NOSE CONTINUED PITCHING UP AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO ROLL WINGS LEVEL JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE UNDAMAGED TAIL SECTION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS DISCONNECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3762S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SOLEM KR-2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 9
- Engines: Volkswagen 1830CC reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Myron C. Coelho
- Registered owner: Ray James Coleman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1986, 9 hours before
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 4R, 5,100 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 434 total, 7 in this make and model, 391 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFZ, 1 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 19861213067369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861213067369A), Dec 13, 1986: Amtr KR2, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. The pilot lost elevator control on takeoff but safely landed. Trim tab cable found disconnected.

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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