# NTSB CHI72AC078: Piper PA-28, N7321J, Stockbridge, MI, April 2, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 2, 1972
- Place: Stockbridge, MI · STOCKBRIDGE, MI
- Location: 42.4491° N, 84.1757° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stockbridge, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4491&lon=-84.1757&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI72AC078
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC078

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3291   72/4/2    STOCKBRIDGE,MICH    PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 33, 55 TOTAL
        TIME - 1246                    N7321J              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          YPSILANTI,MICH              RETURN                       LANSING,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PERSONNEL - FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR: INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - SNOW
        WEATHER BRIEFING - OTHER
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- SOLO X-C.IP ON OTR DUAL X-C STATED HE DISCUSSED WEA WITH PLT AT LANSING.NO RECORD OF BRIEF RECVD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7321J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7321J-1972-08-14), registration cancelled 1972-08-14, S/N 28-24673 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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.