# NTSB OAK73FVG15: Bunker RLU-1, N3K, Red Bluff, CA, August 26, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 26, 1972
- Place: Red Bluff, CA · RED BLUFF, CA
- Location: 40.1735° N, 122.2415° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Red Bluff, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1735&lon=-122.2415&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 19, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 167695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK73FVG15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FVG15

## NTSB brief (aircraft 2)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1147  72/8/26    SMARTVILLE,CALIF    STEARMAN 4E         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0755                    N11724              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  54, 24981 TOTAL HOURS, 30
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PLEASANT VLLY RCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SMARTVILLE,CALIF            OTTUMWA,IOWA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED ACTION IN ABORTING TAKEOFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (OWNER PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - PROPELLER AND ACCESSORIES: BLADE RETENTION MECHANISM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNDER TORQUED
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        REMARKS- NR2 BLADE LOOSE IN HUB.PROP PROTRACTOR FOUND AT AIR STRIP.MARGINAL STRIP.5HRS IN TYPE ACFT,12 MOS.
```

## NTSB brief (aircraft 1)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3305  72/8/26    RED BLUFF,CALIF     BUNKER RLU-1        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 2700
        TIME - 1410                    N3K                 PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RED BLUFF MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RED BLUFF,CALIF             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - OTHER
           WEATHER - HIGH TEMPERATURE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      105
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          360                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TURBC AND GUSTS DUE HIGH AMB TEMP.
```

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N3K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BUNKER RLU-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Red Bluff Muni

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N11724 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STEARMAN 4E
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Pleasant Vlly Rch

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.