# NTSB LAX98LA207: Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3, N45053, Skull Valley, AZ, June 20, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1998, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Skull Valley, AZ
- Location: 34.5053° N, 112.6855° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Skull Valley, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5053&lon=-112.6855&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA207

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The aircraft had recently been returned to service after a complete restoration. According to the owner/pilot the airplane had accumulated 19 flight hours since the restoration.  He stated that the aircraft and the engine were operating normally and were not the cause of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On June 20, 1998, about 1015 hours mountain standard time, a vintage Naval Aircraft Factory, N3N-3, N45053, was destroyed while maneuvering near Skull Valley, Arizona.  Both pilots received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at Prescott, Arizona, at 0930.

The aircraft had recently returned to service after a complete restoration. During a telephone interview of the owner/pilot on July 6, 1998, he stated that the aircraft had accumulated 19 flight hours since the restoration.  He further stated that the aircraft and engine were operating normally and were not the cause of the accident.

The pilot did not return the Safety Board's Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120.1/2.  He did provide copies of restoration and modification, FAA Form 337, and other approvals, which are attached to this report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45053](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45053), registered now, S/N 1983 (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: 1983
- Engines: P&W R-985-A1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul H. Dehaan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 15,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 19 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 19980620014419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980620014419A), Jun 20, 1998: Naval N3N3, Skull Valley, AZ, Destroyed. Destroyed while maneuvering. (.4) the aircraft had recently been returned to service after a complete restoration. According to the owner/pilot the airplane…

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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