# NTSB CHI74DEV33: Piper PA-28, N4770T, Decatur, IL, December 29, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 29, 1973
- Place: Decatur, IL · DECATUR, IL
- Location: 39.8403° N, 88.9548° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Decatur, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8403&lon=-88.9548&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI74DEV33
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEV33

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3573  73/12/29   DECATUR,ILL         PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 127
        TIME - 1230                    N4770T              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 8 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DECATUR
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DECATUR,ILL                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: SNOWBANK                                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SNOW WINDROWS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  DOOR/PANEL OPEN
        REMARKS- 3FT HI SNO BANK ABT 15FT BFR RWY.PLT PLANNED SHORT APCH TO RWY 36 DRG LDG FLARE SAW SNO BANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4770T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Decatur

## 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 19731229039339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731229039339A), Dec 29, 1973: Piper PA28140, Decatur, IL, Substantial damage. 3FT hi sno bank abt 15FT bfr rwy. Plt planned short apch to rwy 36 drg ldg flare saw sno bank.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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