# NTSB CHI74AC018: Piper PA-28R, N3987T, Penconning, MI, August 31, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 31, 1973
- Place: Penconning, MI · PENCONNING, MI
- Location: 43.8577° N, 83.9641° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pinconning, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8577&lon=-83.9641&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI74AC018
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC018

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2991  73/8/31  NR.PENCONNING,MICH    PIPER PA-28R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0115                    N3987T              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 47, 3937 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            882 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LAKE CITY,MICH              DETROIT,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           STALL: SPIRAL                                            IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED BETWEEN TANKS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INSTRUMENTS-MISREAD OR FAILED TO READ
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- VOR STA NON-OPL DUE TSTM.BACK UP PWR NOT AVAIL.CRASHED 16 MI OFF CRSE.PLT BLOOD ALCOHOL 0.196 PCT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3987T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3987T-1973-11-27), registration cancelled 1973-11-27, S/N 28R-30339 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19730831033379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730831033379A), Aug 31, 1973: Piper PA28R200, Penconning, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VOR sta non-opl due tstm. Back up pwr not avail. Crashed 16 mi off crse. Plt blood alcohol 0.196 pct.

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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