# NTSB LAX90LA122: Boeing 737-300, N306AW, Santa Ana, CA, March 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1990, 16:57 local (Mar 17, 1990, 00:57 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.670764, -117.899673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6708&lon=-117.8997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 110 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA122

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER ROTATION DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - rotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TAIL STRIKE DURING ROTATION. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED TO LAS VEGAS, AND POST-FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PRESSURE BULKHEAD. THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONAL MANUAL CAUTIONS THE FLIGHT CREW TO LIMIT THE INITIAL PITCH ATTITUDE TO 9-10 DEG, AND TO ROTATE SMOOTHLY AT A MAXIMUM RATE OF 3 DEG/SEC. THE DFDR READOUT REVEALED THAT THE ROTATION RATE EXCEEDED 7 DEG/SEC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N306AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N306AW-2008-10-10), registration cancelled 2008-10-10, S/N 24633, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-300
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-3G7](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-3g7) (registry code 138447J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24633
- Engines: GE CFM 56-3-B1 turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: America West Airlines
- Registered owner: America West Airlines Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne, runway 19R, 5,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,240 total, 3,725 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900316066279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900316066279A), Mar 16, 1990: Boeing 7373G7, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Over rotated on takeoff,damaged rear fuselage bulkhead. Pilots unaware,continued, ignored steward report of thump.

## Other investigations on N306AW (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI01FA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01FA292), Aug 25, 2001: Boeing 737-3G7 (N306AW), Kansas City, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The second in command failed to maintain proper runway alignment, directional control, and landed long. The pilot in command failed to execute a go-around and failed to provide adequate supervision.…

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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