# NTSB LAX90LA012: Culver VEE, N3036K, Santa Paula, CA, October 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1989, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399475, -119.07003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3995&lon=-119.0700&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 September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA012

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE PILOT BELIEVED HE ENCOUNTERED A TAILWIND AFTER LIFTOFF AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3036K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3036K-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N V-255, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CULVER VEE
- Registry model: [Culver V](https://openairdocs.org/model/culver-v) (registry code 8730302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: V-255
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12FJH 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: John D. Jefferies
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: VAN NUYS, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 4, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,984 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,932 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19891031046259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891031046259A), Oct 31, 1989: Supac V, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft failed to accelerate and climb on takeoff. Settled and struck buildings. Pilot blames low power and wind.

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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