Amateur-built KR-2 accident near Mesa, Arizona, December 13, 1986
On December 13, 1986 at about 2:40 pm local time, a amateur-built KR-2, registered N3762S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mesa, Arizona (Falcon Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 13, 1986 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Falcon Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KR-2
- Registration
- N3762S · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE CONTROL STICK SHUDDERED AND HE FELT 'BACK PRESSURE' ON THE STICK. THE NOSE STARTED PITCHING UP SO HE PUSHED FORWARD ON THE STICK. HE CONTINUED PUSHING THE STICK FORWARD UNTIL IT REACHED THE FORWARD STOPS. DESPITE THIS, THE NOSE CONTINUED PITCHING UP AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO ROLL WINGS LEVEL JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE UNDAMAGED TAIL SECTION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS DISCONNECTED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 434 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 391 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 21, 1986; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Volkswagen 1830CC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4R, 5,100 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:40 pm from FFZ, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.