# NTSB LAX89LA134: Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, N60KB, Phoenix, AZ, March 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1989, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.680404, -112.089408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6804&lon=-112.0894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA134

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND CONTROL INTERFERENCE.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - movement restricted (cause)
  - control interference - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - exceeded
  - stall - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT THE BEGINNING OF A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY USING A THREE POINT TAKEOFF. WHEN THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, THE ANGLE OF ATTACK WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE NOSE WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STALLING. THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. AFTER THE ACCIDENT IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FRONT SEATBELT WAS TIED TO THE CONTROL STICK IN THE AFT POSITION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MUST HAVE OVERLOOKED IT DURING THE PREFLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60KB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60KB), registered now, S/N 2747, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY N3N-3
- Registry model: [Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/naval-aircraft-factory-n3n-3) (registry code 6120202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright 760A B D E&ET](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-760a-b-d-e-et) (registry code 67009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2747
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: WRIGHT O-760 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Coulliette, Roy M.
- Registered owner: Coulliette, Roy M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1988, 37 hours before
- Airport: Pleasant Valley, runway 23, 2,500 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,700 total, 4 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 248 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890324004579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890324004579A), Mar 24, 1989: Naval N3N3, Young, AZ, Substantial damage. Nosed up on liftoff. Unable to compensate and stalled. Control stick in front cockpit was tied aft by the seatbelt.

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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