Naval Aircraft Factory N3N accident near Canaan, Connecticut, May 20, 1989
On May 20, 1989 at about 6:10 pm local time, a Naval Aircraft Factory N3N, registered N4742C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Canaan, Connecticut (Canaan airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 1989 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Canaan, Connecticut · Canaan
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Naval Aircraft Factory N3N · all N3Ns on the register
- Registration
- N4742C · registry record · serial 1970
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRPLANE LOST POWER AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF A HILL ON THE LEFT WING SPINNING THE AIRPLANE & COLLAPSING THE GEAR. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED FUEL IN THE TANKS AND SUMPS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE STRAINER WAS DRAINED, THE FUEL CONTAINED A LOT OF CONTAMINANTS.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 12,000 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 12,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 23, 1988; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,792 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright R-760-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Canaan CT at 6:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.