# NTSB CHI74DEM15: Piper PA-17, N4847H, Charlotte, MI, August 7, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 7, 1973
- Place: Charlotte, MI · CHARLOTTE, MI
- Location: 42.5662° N, 84.8318° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Charlotte, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5662&lon=-84.8318&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI74DEM15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEM15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2114   73/8/7  NR.CHARLOTTE,MICH     PIPER PA-17         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 500
        TIME - 1415                    N4847H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 7 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TINKERVILLE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         CHARLOTTE,MICH               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- MISTOOK PHONE WIRES FOR PWR LINES. GR CAUGHT PWR LINE AT END OF RWY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4847H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4847H-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 17-146, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-17
- Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Tinkerville

## 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 19730807024089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730807024089A), Aug 7, 1973: Piper PA17, Charlotte, MI, Substantial damage. Mistook phone wires for pwr lines. Gr caught pwr line at end of rwy.

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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