# NTSB LAX96LA153: Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, N45043, Chandler, AZ, April 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1996, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.319107, -111.819236 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3191&lon=-111.8192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 17, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29406 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29406/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA153 ## Probable cause The failure of both the engine driven and hand wobble fuel pumps, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,pump - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was in cruise when the fuel pressure went to zero. He attempted to restore the fuel pressure by using a hand wobble pump but was unsuccessful. The engine lost power and the aircraft nosed over during the forced landing in desert terrain. FAA inspectors examined the aircraft and found fuel in the tanks. The engine driven and hand wobble fuel pumps were removed from the engine and taken to an overhaul facility where they were installed in a calibrated test bench for a functional check. Both pumps failed the functional test and did not flow any fuel. Review of the maintenance records revealed no entry denoting an overhaul of the components at the time of the last engine overhaul. The history, calendar age, and total time of the pumps are unknown. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1996, at 1030 hours mountain standard time, an antique Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, N45043, nosed over during a forced landing near Chandler, Arizona. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and the one passenger onboard were not injured. The flight originated from Chandler on the day of the accident at 1020 as a local area personal flight. The pilot reported that he was in cruise when the fuel pressure went to zero. He attempted to restore the fuel pressure by using a hand wobble pump but was unsuccessful. The engine lost power and the aircraft nosed over during the forced landing in desert terrain. FAA inspectors examined the aircraft and found fuel in the tanks. The engine driven and hand wobble fuel pumps were removed from the engine and taken to an overhaul facility where they were installed in a calibrated test bench for a functional check. Both pumps failed the functional test and did not flow any fuel. Review of the maintenance records revealed no entry denoting an overhaul of the components at the time of the last engine overhaul. The history, calendar age, and total time of the pumps are unknown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45043](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45043), registered now, S/N 2716 (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: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2716 - Airframe hours: 2080 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven K. Burk - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1996, 7 hours before - Departed: CHD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,274 total, 16 in this make and model, 1,147 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19960403005919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960403005919A), Apr 3, 1996: Naval N3N3, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Fuel pressure zero. Nosed over in desert. Engine driven and wobble pumps were inoperative. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.