# NTSB CHI71FDW36: Piper PA-32, N4726S, Westland, MI, February 13, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 13, 1971
- Place: Westland, MI · WESTLAND, MI
- Location: 42.3192° N, 83.3808° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Westland, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3192&lon=-83.3808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 160612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI71FDW36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FDW36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0886  71/2/13    WESTLAND,MICH       PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 127
        TIME - 1001                    N4726S              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 8 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NATIONAL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WESTLAND,MICH               GADSDEN,ALA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             TAKEOFF: ABORTED
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED ACTION IN ABORTING TAKEOFF
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SNOW ON RUNWAY
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          BLOWING SNOW                                             RIGHT CROSS WIND 068-112 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           17                                                       20
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           21                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- RMVD SNOW,NOT ICE FRM ACFT.UN GAIN SUF A/S TO CLEAR OBST.1-6IN SNOW,ICE ON RWY.WIND GUSTING 31K.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4726S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4726S), registered now, S/N 32-1165, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: National

## Other investigations on N4726S (2)

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.

- [NTSB ERA20LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA057), Dec 20, 2019: Piper PA32 (N4726S), Florida, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s fuel mismanagement during flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing in a remote, wooded terrain.
- [NTSB MIA72DKJ14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72DKJ14), Aug 8, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N4726S), Gadsden, AL, substantial damage

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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